The research: Scientists wondered if this diet—made up primarily of organic, local and in-season fruits, nuts and vegetables, whole grains, and 35% less meat than the standard Danish diet—would reduce the environmental impact of food production and transportation. To find out, researchers used a database of all the foods produced and consumed in Denmark and then they mapped out how the two diets compared. They were able to look at what, exactly, Danes would be able to eat if they adhered to a diet that was mostly organic and locally grown as opposed to one made up of imported and conventionally grown food—and then they modeled out how each diet fared across 16 different environmental factors. Not surprising, the New Nordic Diet (NND) beat out the standard diet by every environmental measure examined. That’s in part because producing and transporting plants, which make up the bulk of this diet, requires less of everything—land, food, water, and energy—compared to livestock. And in the study, 82% of greenhouse gas emissions were from ruminant meat, like beef. Which is on par with a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that found cattle largely contribute to methane emissions. What it means: A plant-heavy diet, such as the NND, is as eco-friendly as it is healthy (see: 10 Reasons To Give Up Red Meat). The bottom line: This study adds to a body of research that proves what we all know intuitively: Eating more organic plant-based foods and less meat is a sound way to feed yourself—and it’s more sustainable, too. (Need cooking inspiration? We suggest signing up for our free Recipe of the Day newsletter, where we deliver meatless recipes right to your inbox.)
