A Planet-First Diet Could Save Millions Of Lives, Says New Report

Many of us are looking for ways to eat a more planet-friendly diet, and to boost our own longevity through our plate. So what about if there was a style of eating which could offer both? Enter the planetary health diet, which has come into the spotlight following a new landmark report linking it to a 27 percent reduced risk of premature death, while also cutting food-related carbon emissions by half by 2050.

What Is The Planetary Health Diet?

The planetary health diet was first proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission in 2019, outlining a way of eating that would benefit both human health and the environment. It involves consuming a ‘plant-forward diet where whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes comprise a greater proportion of foods consumed’. 

Unlike vegan or vegetarian diets, animal products are included too, but in moderation. ‘Meat and dairy constitute important parts of the diet but in significantly smaller proportions than whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes,’ reads the EAT’s website. So: the ideal planet-friendly plate would be filled with about half fruit and vegetables, with the other half consisting of whole grains, plant protein and optional modest amounts of animal protein. The diet has many similarities with the Mediterranean diet, which is widely renowned for its health benefits. 

According to the 2025 Eat-Lancet Commission, published in The Lancet on 2 October 2025, a global adoption of the planetary health diet could mean nearly everyone on the planet has access to nutritious food by 2050. Experts say this could have a massive impact on the climate, but other key elements need to change too in order to really slash emissions. ‘It’s also necessary to reduce food waste and to transition towards sustainable land, water, nutrient and ecosystem management practices – you need to invest in all of these simultaneously,’ commission co-chair Johan Rockström said at a press briefing. ‘You have to choose to produce healthy food that is affordable and accessible to all people. That is why this is quite a challenge.’

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What Are The Benefits?

When EAT first published its findings on the planetary health diet, it made some compelling claims, writing: ‘Shifting from unhealthy diets to the planetary health diet can prevent 11 million premature adult deaths per year and drive the transition toward a sustainable global food system by 2050 that ensures healthy food for all within planetary boundaries.’ 

The latest research builds on this, with researchers concluding that adopting this style of eating could prevent 40,000 early deaths every day – and that’s not taking into account the impact of lowered obesity rates, which would save even more lives. It also outlines a roadmap for our global food system in which greenhouse emissions are cut by 2020 compared with 2020 levels, and cattle numbers fall by 26 percent, while aquatic food production and the market for fruit and vegetables increases, allowing overall food prices to drop by three percent.

A number of benefits were also outlined in a similar study published last year in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. For this, scientists analysed data from more than 200,000 men and women in the United States across three decades. All participants – who had no major diseases when the study began – filled out dietary questionnaires every four years for 34 years. Key findings included:

Lower mortality risk

Participants who most closely followed the planetary health diet were found to be 30 percent less likely to die prematurely in comparison to those who ate the lowest amounts of food involved in the planet-first diet.

Reduced illness

On a similar note, planet-first eaters had reduced risk of dying from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, lung disease, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. 

Lower risk of infectious diseases

Women who adhered to principles of the planetary health diet had a 38 percent lower risk of dying of infectious diseases.

Better planet health

This style of eating was also found to be better for the environment. It was associated with:

• 29 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions
• 51 percent reduction in cropland use
• 21 percent reduction in fertiliser use
• 13 percent lower irrigation and water needs

‘Changing how we eat can help slow climate change, and fortunately what’s healthiest for the planet is also best for us,’ said one of the study’s authors, Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. ‘For every major cause of death we looked at, there was a lower risk in people with better adherence to the planetary health diet,’ Willett said.

He added: ‘The findings show just how linked human and planetary health are. Eating healthfully boosts environmental sustainability – which in turn is essential for the health and well-being of every person on Earth,’ he added.

How To Follow A More Planetary Diet

Generally the planetary diet includes a focus on:

• Whole grains (e.g. brown rice, quinoa, rye bread)
• Chicken and poultry
• Fruits and non-starchy vegetables
• Nuts
• Legumes (e.g. beans, lentils, chickpeas)
• Foods high in unsaturated fats (e.g. avocados and olive oil)

The diet is low in processed meats, sugary processed foods, sugary drinks and fruit juices. However, the EAT team stress that the diet can be adapted to fit personal and cultural needs. ‘We’re not dictating any specific one fit-for-all type of diet,’ said Willett. ‘The planetary health diet allows for major diversity and is very much aligned with traditional diets across the world. Some may need some tweaks, but it’s very doable.’