Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

Protein Food Choices and Sustainability
Before it gets to our plates, every food has a story. Maybe it started as a seed, planted in
soil and nurtured to maturity with water, sunlight, and fertilizer. Or maybe it came from
an animal, one raised for its meat or to produce milk or eggs. We choose foods based on
their taste, price, convenience, and nutritional value, but it’s also worth considering their
backstories. This is particularly true for protein foods, because animal protein production
generally consumes more resources and is less sustainable than plant protein sources.
Agricultural animals need care, feeding, housing, disposal of their waste, and sometimes
medication use throughout their lives. It’s worth considering where our protein comes from
and how our choices affect the planet, especially since most of us consume more protein
than we need.
ANIMAL AGRICULTURE AND RESOURCE USE
The World Resources Institute, a global research non-profit organization with a mission “to
move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment” has compiled data on
the environmental impact of protein choices. In the graphic below, you’ll see that in terms
of greenhouse gas emissions, protein sources from plants have a much lower impact than
protein sources from animals. Most plant proteins, with the exception of nuts, are also less
expensive. Beef, lamb, and goat meat come at a higher cost to the environment and your
wallet.
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