Cities Paving The Way For Sustainable Nutrition
& Navigating The Complex Terrain .
In the ever-evolving landscape of public health nutrition, cities participating in the Food Trails project are taking innovative steps to promote healthier and more sustainable food choices among their citizens. These initiatives encompass a range of creative pilots:
Community Supported Urban Agriculture
Addressing areas of deprivation by fostering urban agriculture initiatives within communities.
Promoting Plant Based Protein
Aiming to increase the presence of plant-based proteins in public sector meals while reducing reliance on animal-based products.
Nutrition and Health Education
Implementing comprehensive nutrition, food, and health education programmes in schools to equip the younger generation with essential knowledge.
Combatting Food Waste
Supporting local food businesses in reducing waste while redirecting surplus food to provide nutritious meals to those with limited access.
While these cities have been advised to base their initiatives on the Planetary Health Diet, they must also navigate national Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) actively promoted by health providers and community organisations. This dual approach necessitates a careful balance to avoid confusion among citizens seeking nutritional guidance.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN defines FBDG as tools for shaping public food and nutrition policies, promoting healthy eating habits, and preventing chronic diseases. FBDG offer recommendations on foods, food groups, and dietary patterns to ensure nutrient adequacy and overall health.
An intriguing aspect of this project is the examination of the differences in FBDGs among the nine participating countries (Albania, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and the UK). Notably, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the UK have updated their guidelines in the past decade to incorporate sustainability messages. Denmark, in particular, stands out for its explicit emphasis on the dual benefits of optimal nutrition and climate impact reduction.
Albania and Greece also recommend reductions in meat consumption and an increase in plant-based protein sources for health rather than sustainability reasons. This diversity underscores the importance of considering cultural contexts when striving for behavioural change through nutrition principles.
A noteworthy event occurred in Birmingham, where we hosted a debate between Professor Louis Levy, formerly head of Nutrition Science at Public Health England (PHE), and Dr. Fabrice DeClerck, Head of Science at EAT, the organisation behind the Planetary Health Diet. Community leaders, including medical professionals and health promoters, further discussed the usefulness of FBDG in promoting healthier and more sustainable diets within their communities. These discussions emphasised the significance of culturally sensitive messaging in dietary guidance.
To address this need, Birmingham commissioned 'The Diverse Nutrition Association' to create 'Culturally Diverse Healthy Eating Guides.' However, ongoing debate among health professionals in the UK questions the adequacy of the Eatwell Guide for this purpose.
Similar conversations are likely occurring in other countries as the focus shifts towards sustainable diets. These discussions can become personal and contentious, with FBDG sometimes perceived as authoritarian, biased, influenced by the food industry, or disconnected from tradition and economic realities.
As Cross-Cutting Manager for Nutrition, I offer these recommendations:
Compare national FBDGs to the Planetary Health Diet
Identify areas of convergence and divergence to provide citizens with consistent and effective guidance.
Consult with health professionals
Engage accredited health professionals with expertise in nutrition communication to deliver clear and practical nutrition, food, health, and sustainability messages.
Address contradictions and debates
Explain why debates and contradictions exist while focusing on key messages consistent across international dietary guidelines.
Accessibility, affordability, and acceptability
Ensure that sustainable nutrition initiatives are accessible, affordable, and acceptable to diverse populations, especially in the context of the protein transition.
Complex health conditions
Remind individuals with complex health conditions to consult their healthcare professionals before making significant dietary changes.
In the realm of public health nutrition, where everyone is an expert due to our shared experience with food, it's vital to set aside judgment and embrace evidence-based approaches. Amid evolving evidence, some principles remain unwavering. In the words of Michael Pollan, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Simple as this advice may seem, navigating the intricacies of food systems remains a complex endeavour.