ABSTRACT
The food system is unsustainable, it is contributing to the increasing prevalence of diet-related diseases and damaging the planet, and thereby posing a significant risk to food and nutrition security. Sustainable diets are protective and respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems, culturally acceptable, accessible, economically fair and affordable; nutritionally adequate, safe and healthy; while optimizing natural and human resources. A healthy diet is one that meets energy and nutrient requirements for human health and this varies for different subgroups of the population, according to age, sex and level of activity. The importance of food cultures and the social aspects of eating should not be underestimated or overlooked by focusing only on the health consequences of the diet. Meat is a good example of the complexity of trying to satisfy all the different elements of a healthy and sustainable diet, particularly in terms of how to provide consistent dietary advice.
