The document discusses the environmental impacts and health risks of the western diet, which consists mainly of fast food and processed foods with low amounts of fresh produce. It is high in salt, sugar, and fat and relies heavily on animal products. This diet requires significant water and land resources to produce and leads to greenhouse gas emissions. It increases the risks of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and hypertension. The document suggests promoting more sustainable food production and consumption, including lowering meat consumption, as a solution to reduce these environmental impacts and health risks.

1. ERASMUS +
PROJECT
2016-1-MT01-KA219-015198_2

2. Health, Earth, Agriculture, Recipes and Technology at Heart
THE EARTH IS OUR HEART !

3. The western diet
And its impact on the environment and our
health

4. The western diet
 The western diet consists mainly of fast food
and processed foods with minimal intakes of
fresh produce.
 High in salt, sugar and fat
 Contains mostly animal products

5. Environmental footprint
 Studies show that a vegetarian diet could feed more people
than a meat-based diet: 20% of the corn grown in the
United States is eaten by people, with about 80% of the
corn eaten by livestock.
 Approximately 25 gallons of water are needed to produce 1
pound of wheat. Around 2,500 gallons of water are needed
to produce 1 pound of meat.
 The animal industry is responsible for 15% of global
greenhouse gas emissions.

6. Health implications
 Increases the risk of diabetes,
heat disease and some cancers.
 Increases the risk of obesity and
hypertension.
 Diets with little fruits and
vegetables can be low in
vitamins minerals and fiber
crucial to our health.

7. The solution
A change in people`s dietary habits
 Stimulating sustainable food production
 Promoting sustainable food consumption
 Lower livestock production will lead to 25–40% lower
greenhouse gas emissions.

8. Author : Rufina Kaloyanova
Romance Languages Secondary school
Burgas - Bulgaria