How Much Meat Can We Afford Without Harming the Planet?

We’ve all heard it: eat less meat and more legumes. But just how much is considered 'less'? Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have unveiled a startling answer.

The magic number is 255 grams of poultry or pork per week! That’s right—just two chicken breasts. This figure is crucial for balancing our diet with environmental sustainability.

The Troubling Truth About Red Meat

But don’t even think about indulging in beef! According to a groundbreaking study published in Nature Food, consuming beef in any meaningful quantity exceeds our planet's limits. Caroline H. Gebara, a postdoc at DTU Sustain and lead author of the study, emphasizes that even moderate consumption of red meat can be detrimental to our environmental efforts.

A Global Call for Change

The research aims to determine whether we can fulfill global nutritional needs while respecting planetary boundaries. The good news? It’s possible! However, significant shifts in our food consumption are necessary at both global and individual levels. Gebara insists that government action is key, and individuals will benefit from clearer, supportive frameworks for making sustainable choices.

Visualizing 'Less' Meat Consumption

Most of us know we should trim our meat intake for both health and environmental reasons, but defining 'less' can be tricky. According to the researchers, 255 grams of poultry or pork per week offers a concrete guideline—something tangible to consider while grocery shopping. For context, a pack of two chicken breast fillets typically weighs around 280 grams, just above the sustainable limit.

It’s Not an Either-Or Scenario

The team's analysis considered various environmental factors, including CO2 emissions and water use, across over 100,000 diet variations. The results were clear: red meat consumption exceeds planetary boundaries. In contrast, pescetarian, vegetarian, or vegan diets are likely to fall within safe limits, depending on the chosen products. Notably, diets that include dairy or eggs can also remain sustainable.

The Flexibility of a Sustainable Diet

What Gebara hopes people take away from this study is the notion that a sustainable diet can be versatile. Want to enjoy cheese or eggs? You can still maintain a healthy, climate-friendly diet! It’s all about balance; you don’t have to sacrifice enjoyment for sustainability.