Planetary health diet

The Planetary Health Diet is designed to promote human health and the well-being of the planet through sustainable food consumption. One of the main recommendations of this diet is to increase consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, while reducing consumption of meat and added sugars.

One of the main recommendations of this diet is to increase consumption of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds, while reducing consumption of meat and added sugars.
For this project, we wanted to share our culinary traditions to show that the well-being of the planet can be an everyday action for each of us. Furthermore, the aim of this project is to inspire other cultures to do the same and make all people around the world participate without distinction.

Let's take the example of one of the most-known lands in the food sector: Italy ;)

Italy, where the land is rich in high-quality agricultural products, the planetary health diet relies on a wide range of local and seasonal ingredients.

Italian hills are dotted with olive groves that produce extra virgin olive oil, a fundamental ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine and a valuable source of healthy fats. Wheat fields provide the heart of Italian cuisine: pasta. Opting for whole wheat pasta variants helps to preserve the nutritional value of the grain and reduce the environmental impact of the processing.

Italian regions are renowned for their variety of fresh vegetables. From crispy salads to tender courgettes, juicy tomatoes to aromatic eggplants, Italian garden produce offers a wide range of flavors and nutrients. Incorporating these vegetables into our daily recipes not only improves our health but also that of the planet by reducing the need to transport food from afar.

Furthermore, Italy boasts a rich dairy tradition, with prestigious cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano. Although cheeses should be consumed in moderation in the planetary health diet, their artisanal production and the care devoted to raw materials represent an Italian excellence to be preserved.

Let's make an example with one the most known and used product of the Italian cuisine: pasta.

In this case, however, specifically whole-wheat pasta.

Whole grain pasta is considered more sustainable than refined pasta for several reasons:

Less refinement: Whole grain pasta is produced using whole wheat, which means that the wheat kernel remains intact with all its outer layers, including the bran. In contrast, refined pasta is produced using only the inner endosperm of the wheat kernel, thereby eliminating many of its nutrients and fibers.

Less waste: The production of whole grain pasta requires fewer refining processes compared to refined pasta. This means that fewer parts of the wheat kernel are discarded during the manufacturing process, thus reducing the potential waste of resources.

In summary, the Italian land offers a treasure trove of food products that can be creatively combined to adhere to the planetary health diet, promoting both human well-being and environmental sustainability.