Planetary health diet

The planetary health diet (PHD), also called the EAT-Lancet diet, planetary diet, or planetarian diet, is a diet created by the EAT-Lancet commission as part of a report released in The Lancet on 16 January 2019. The diet is designed to be healthy, adaptable to diverse cultures, and environmentally sustainable for a world population of up to 10 billion people.

The PHD is a flexitarian diet consisting largely of plant-based foods: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated oils. It includes moderate amounts of fish and shellfish, poultry, dairy, and eggs. Red meat (beef, lamb, and pork) is included in small quantities. Processed meat, highly processed foods, added sugars, refined grains, and starchy vegetables are minimized.

Since poor diets are a major cause of health problems and death, the report estimated that universal adoption of the PHD would prevent 11 million deaths per year, largely by preventing coronary heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes, some cancers, and other diseases. In high-income countries the PHD is generally affordable and studies indicate that it does not need to cost more than typical diets for those countries. However, it has been estimated that at least 1.58 billion people in low- and middle-income countries would not be able to afford the PHD.

The PHD was largely well-received by the academic community. In social media discussion and in the media, responses to the report were highly polarised and the report became framed as a culture war issue. Evidence later emerged that a public relations firm working with the Animal Agricultural Alliance had organised a backlash against the PHD.