Climate and nutrition

From the Mediterranean diet to the planetary diet: how to combine health, food and sustainability

Reconciling human wellbeing with that of the planet is the central challenge of the model proposed by the EAT-Lancet International Scientific Commission: studies by Italian experts

by Daniela Martini *, Marialaura Bonaccio **

17 July 2026

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3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The heatwaves that are once again characterising this summer are one of the clearest signs of climate change, which now affects every aspect of our lives, including the way we produce and consume food. The relationship between food and the environment is, in fact, two-way: on the one hand, the food system contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, the consumption of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity; on the other, climate change affects agricultural production, food availability and food security. For this reason, sustainability has now become an essential component of nutritional recommendations, alongside the traditional objectives of health protection.

It is within this context that the work of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (Sinu) takes place. Having recently updated the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid in light of the latest scientific evidence and the growing focus on environmental sustainability, Sinu has published two new studies in the *International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition*, dedicated to the Planetary Health Diet, the model proposed by the EAT-Lancet Global Commission to promote a diet that combines human health with the health of the planet.

The comparison

The first study compares the Planetary Health Diet with the Mediterranean Diet, analysing the dietary recommendations of Italia, Spain, Greece and Portugal.

The analysis highlights a strong convergence between the two models, particularly in terms of the central role attributed to whole grains, fruit, vegetables and unsaturated fats. However, there are some differences, such as the higher consumption of pulses and nuts recommended by the Planetary Diet, and certain specific features relating to dairy products and olive oil, which reflect the cultural and agricultural characteristics of the Mediterranean region.

What criteria should be followed

The study’s message is clear: the Planetary Diet should not be interpreted as a single diet applicable everywhere, but as a set of principles that can be adapted to different geographical, cultural and dietary contexts. From this perspective, the Mediterranean Diet represents one of the possible traditional models through which these principles can be put into practice in the Mediterranean region, just as other dietary traditions – such as the Nordic diet – can play a similar role in other parts of the world.

The second study, carried out by members of the Sinu Giovani group, addresses a key issue for scientific research: how to assess adherence to the Planetary Diet.

Through a systematic review of the literature, the authors identified 26 different indices developed in recent years to measure the extent to which a person’s diet is consistent with the EAT-Lancet model. The study shows, however, that these tools often differ significantly from one another: the foods considered, the assessment criteria, the scoring systems and the calculation methods all vary. This variability makes it difficult to compare study results and build robust evidence on the effects of sustainable diets. For this reason, the study emphasises the need for greater methodological harmonisation, so that research can have access to increasingly reliable and comparable tools.

The key to sustainability

The two studies represent a further step in the process undertaken by SINU to integrate health, nutrition and sustainability.

As stated by the President of Sinu, Prof. Francesco Sofi, the Scientific Society’s update to the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid has already incorporated much of the latest scientific evidence, emphasising not only nutritional aspects but also environmental ones: the central role of plant-based foods, the choice of seasonal and local produce, biodiversity, the reduction of food waste and a more responsible use of resources.

Recent publications confirm this view, showing that the transition to more sustainable food systems does not require us to abandon our food traditions, but rather to promote them where they are consistent with the principles of health and sustainability.

Measuring to test effectiveness

The Planetary Diet is not a universal menu to be applied indiscriminately across the globe. It is a framework that identifies common objectives for human health and the health of the planet, whilst allowing scope for different food cultures. The Mediterranean Diet is one of the most significant examples of how these principles can be put into practice in everyday life in the countries of the Mediterranean.

At the same time, developing shared tools to measure compliance with these models will be essential for assessing the effectiveness of future nutritional strategies and sustainability policies.

Through these two studies, Sinu is contributing to the international scientific debate on one of the most significant public health issues of the coming decades: namely, the development of food systems that are at once healthy, sustainable, culturally acceptable and scientifically measurable.

* SINU Scientific Committee, SINU Group for the Study and Promotion of the
** SINU Executive Committee, SINU Group for the Study and Promotion of the Mediterranean Diet

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