CookSmart (9th Issue) Page28

Dietitian Guide

Low Carbon Diet is Good for Your Health and the Planet

Kathleen YAU (Executive Committee Member of Hong Kong Nutrition Association)

Under the threat of global warming, there has been a growing concern on the adverse impacts of carbon dioxide emissions from food production and consumption. Kathleen, a registered dietitian, is going to share with you on how to protect the environment by adopting a low carbon eating habit.

Low Carbon Diet: From Losing Fat to Protecting the Environment

Consuming low carbon diets is originally proposed as a way to reduce weight by restricting carbohydrate consumption. It now carries a new meaning -- an eating habit to minimise the release of greenhouse gases from food production and consumption. Kathleen quotes the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations that livestock are responsible for up to 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Farm animals, in addition, release large amounts of methane and nitrous oxide which are far more detrimental to the environment than carbon dioxide.

Livestock also consume a lot of resources. Kathleen adds that it takes 7 kilogram of cereals to produce 1 kilogram of meat, and 1 tonne of water is needed to produce 1 kilogram of grains to feed the livestock.