ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the evolution of sustainable diets—a strategy to promote optimal nutrition and sustainability in the context of dietary guidance. To be more consistent with sustainable agriculture, a more systems-based framework, food consumption, is proposed. This end-user dimension incorporates food-related environments, practices, and infrastructures as contexts to more fully addressing sustainability. Six categories for a food consumption framework are outlined: (a) Principles, (b) products/patterns, (c) players, (d) places, (e) practices, and (f) policies. Applicable facets of each component are also suggested. These include: (a) Food attributes besides nutrition; (b) practices (routines, customs, or overall behaviours) related to food access, preparation, and eating; (c) capabilities approaches emphasising competencies, empowerment, and equity; (d) food literacy to address knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to acquire and prepare food competently and for understanding relationships between food choices and practices and overall food system sustainability; and (e) food citizenship to promote active involvement in policy-making and programs for a more sustainable food system.
