For years I’ve watched friends, colleagues and community members speak up about world events, advocate for human rights and publicly uphold their values. Their efforts have sent supplies to Gaza, amended national health policies and rallied people around local change. But I grew cautious about my voice, having been ostracized, judged and shamed for speaking my truth and questioning the norm. Weary, I disconnected from most political conversations and stopped reading the news. These decisions calmed my nervous system, allowing me to exert my energy toward a different kind of revolution, something softer and useful: inspiring people to cultivate food consciousness.

My work may not be radical progress, yet it stretches well beyond what to eat for dinner. It’s rooted in reconnecting people with the impact of consumption choices on our food systems, environment and human health. It’s a determination to transform our narrow views of food from numbers, data and inconvenience to pleasure, wellbeing and intention. It’s a desire to simplify the overwhelm of online influences, empower individuals to reframe relationships with food and rectify their challenges of undernourishment coupled with contamination of modern life.

Now, upon release of the updated Dietary Guidelines for America (DGA), it’s time to speak up again. The pictograph of the DGA’s whole foods diet has sparked robust conversations amongst my colleagues – some appreciating the changes, while others call them unsustainable, impractical. Notably, the DGAs have never been sustainable – hence, they’re modified every five years with adjustments reflecting changing needs of the times. Presently, we need to reconsider everything we eat from a new perspective – no more fake foods. They’re harming us – and our Earth.

My colleagues are discussing two main challenges, both with meat: 1.) increased protein recommendations, presumably by eating more meat; 2.) prioritizing meat and dairy over plant-based proteins. What’s more sustainable, eating more land animals or eating more plant proteins?

In short, data shows benefits of high protein consumption to improve lean muscle mass1, enhancing body composition2 and for neurological health3. However, concerns include increased protein intake from animal sources that may increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer4 and other age-related diseases5. As with all nutrients, not all proteins have the same effect on the body and, importantly, quality and sourcing play a role3.

I wonder about protein intake in these ways: 1.) what’s sustainable to procure and consume in our busy lives? 2.) how to approach individualized human protein needs from a functional perspective, despite generalized calculations; 3.) what’s most sustainable for our environment?

I’ll address meat consumption from a practical perspective in the next column. For now, let’s talk about whether eating more meat is sustainable for our Earth.

A diet high in red meat poses certain challenges due to environmental exposures, including heavy metal toxicity (especially in the fats)6, residues of antibiotics, hormones and pesticides like brominated flame retardants (the latter also in fish), mycotoxins and other chemicals due to processing (especially in processed meats)7. Also, there are extensive environmental considerations at the mercy of conventional agriculture to feed conventionally raised meat, leading to deterioration of natural resources and contributing to greenhouse gases8. Plus, red meat poses high risks of contamination in the form of foodborne illnesses9.

Going plant-based? Years ago, I became a vegan to help save the planet. This endeavor taught me that humans are designed to be omnivores; a plant-based diet also uses resources that strain our planet’s welfare; and maintaining optimal nutrient status while eating a plant-based diet often means consuming ultra-processed foods full of additives, preservatives and/or protein isolates. Importantly, plant-derived foods remain a main dietary source of contaminants, including certain pesticides and mycotoxins8.

As a nutritionist, the main diet I advocate for is a diet high in whole, uncontaminated foods that Mother Earth produces, tailored for individuals meet unique nutrient needs. The DGAs are more in alignment with my perspective, recommending lower intake of carbohydrates and higher intake of protein, primarily from whole and fermented foods, which data shows is supportive of metabolism, gut health, blood sugar, satiety, reduced chronic disease and improved quality of life. These guidelines also are a step toward saving our planet by recommending avoidance of additives and ultra-processed oils, sugars and excessive carbs (which are highly contaminated by pesticides8).

Let’s look at human health and Earth from a different perspective. Retired astronaut Ron Garan shares about his “cognitive shift” of Earth from above. He, too, believes our priorities are skewed. While we fixate on the economy – surely, he means money, consumerism, capitalism – the single thing that connects all humans on this planet is, well, our planet. From above, there are no borders; pollution travels everywhere; one damaged ecosystem affects ecosystems everywhere. From this zoomed-out view, Garan says, “Without a healthy planet, neither society nor economy can exist11.”

As I listened to Garan speak, I was struck by a timely reminder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s sermon about peace on Christmas Eve in 1968, stating, “As nations and individuals, we are interdependent.” Garan calls this, “The interrelated structure of all reality11.” What resonates with me most is Garan’s simple perspective, “We are not from Earth. We are of Earth.” I speak of this in my work, as we humans physically would not exist without Earth and her elements, nutrients, resources. Hence, human health is a direct mirror to Earth’s health.

In my nutritionist, Earth-mama, micro-focused view, our interconnectedness starts and ends with optimal nourishment. Everything we consume affects every function of the mind-body-spirit. Food can destroy or replenish. Food can be scarce or abundant. Food can be toxic or revitalizing. Food can be revered or disregarded. As humans of Earth, we are here to protect and honor soil, streams, space – not try to control, ravish or manipulate them. We have done the latter – both humans and nature are suffering from the consequences. It’s time to change.

While the new Dietary Guidelines for America may not yet offer practical advice that astronaut Ron Garan suggests – to prioritize our planet above all else – they remove unnatural substances from our diets. What must follow is removal of these substances and toxicants from our environment and a return to natural growing methods that can feed all humans well while revitalizing Earth, she who gave life to all living things. It’s not idealistic, it’s possible. And it’s inevitable if we want to survive.

References:

(1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35187864/

(2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32699189/

(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37874047/

(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235012/

(5) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6562018/

(6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37209751/

(7) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7256495/

(8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507973/

(9) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37167789/

(10) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507973/

(11) Ron Garan YouTube video, HERE.