In May 2019, the British Dietetic Association produced a reference guide in order to support the industry around eating patterns for health and environmental sustainability.

One Blue Dot is the BDA's Environmentally Sustainable Diet Project. The toolkit is a collection of information, graphics, tools and links to help improve understanding of environmentally sustainable diets. It was created by a working group of experts which sits under the BDA's Public Health Specialist Group. 

According to the BDA report, 'Our current dietary habits are fuelling obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and as some cancers. But, our eating habits also have an impact on the environment and are jeopardising the future security of our planet. Taking into consideration farming, production, distribution, and delivery through to waste, our current food system has a major impact on the planet'.

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), produced a report in 2018. In the report, as well as focusing on changes to farming practices and food processes needed to mitigate the impact on global warming, it tackles the shifts needed in consumer behaviour change. With regard to diet, the IPCC’s report lists specific actions that individuals should be urged to take;

1. Consume LESS meat and dairy

2. Eat MORE locally sourced seasonal foods

3. Throw LESS food away

The BDA reference guide looks in more detail at what a more sustainable diet looks like. With reference to the UK Eatwell Guide, it considers specific nutritional issues raised by a more sustainable diet. 

There are some handy sections alongside the downloadable guide which form the toolkit  here including a glossary, FAQs and menu swaps which provide a great guide for our clients and associates when considering menus.