The Food We Eat: How Quality Nutrition Shapes Our Health and Planet

It’s often said that we are what we eat—and this saying holds more truth than we might realize. The food we consume each day not only profoundly affects our health but also shapes the state of our planet. As we face rising rates of diet-related diseases and alarming environmental challenges, adopting a healthy and sustainable diet emerges as one of the most crucial solutions. Yet, the road to this transformation is riddled with obstacles—accessibility, cost, and awareness remain significant challenges for both consumers and the industry.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), through its EIT Food initiative, is working to transform food systems in ways that benefit both people and the planet. Through innovation, education, and support for sustainable solutions, EIT Food aims to promote healthier eating habits and sustainable practices across the entire food chain.

Nutrition and Health: An Inseparable Bond

Scientific research repeatedly confirms the strong link between dietary habits and health. Poor nutrition is one of the leading causes of chronic, non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), poor diets are responsible for 71% of deaths globally. Adding to this is the issue of "hidden hunger," or a deficiency in vital nutrients, which affects more than two billion people and compromises their immunity and quality of life.

The economic impact is equally staggering. A study by the European Public Health Alliance estimates that diet-related diseases cost the European Union €700 billion annually in healthcare expenses and productivity losses. Addressing these challenges requires fundamental changes in how we produce, consume, and perceive food.

Sustainable Diets: A Path Forward

Healthy diets must not only nourish our bodies but also respect the planet. Current unsustainable agricultural practices, overreliance on monocultures, and high consumption of animal products are degrading soil, depleting water supplies, and driving greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), livestock farming alone accounts for nearly 15% of global emissions.

A sustainable food system offers a solution. By supporting diverse diets that prioritize plant-based ingredients, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint while improving access to nutritious food. Key strategies include diversifying protein sources, optimizing food's nutritional value, and ensuring healthier options are more accessible.

EIT Food's Framework for Change

EIT Food’s “Healthier Lives Through Food” initiative is built on three pillars that have the potential to make the greatest impact:

1. Improving Food Supply for a Balanced Diet: Supporting innovations that enhance the availability of healthy and sustainable foods. EIT Food funds startups and projects tackling the issues of affordability and accessibility.
2. Diversifying Protein Sources: Transitioning to alternative proteins, such as plant-based, insect-based, or lab-grown proteins, can reduce environmental burdens while offering healthier options. For instance, plant-based proteins generate 10–50 times fewer emissions than beef.
3. Optimizing Nutritional Value: Developing foods with higher nutrient density, such as fortified crops or bioengineered products, helps combat malnutrition and improves health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations.

Education and Awareness as Key Drivers of Change

One of the biggest barriers to healthier diets is the lack of awareness about the connection between nutrition and health. Many consumers underestimate the long-term impact of their eating habits, while the industry often prioritizes profit over sustainability. EIT Food places a strong emphasis on education, advocacy, and aligning policies focused on soil health, nutrition, and food literacy.

For instance, healthy soil is essential for producing nutrient-rich crops. By improving agricultural practices, we can ensure that food is not only flavorful but also packed with vital nutrients. Additionally, fostering collaboration among farmers, researchers, and policymakers opens pathways for systemic changes.

Your Opinions and Experiences

How do you perceive this issue? Do you think we eat healthier now than we did a decade ago, or are we still overlooking the consequences for both our health and the planet? What steps should we take as a society to make healthy and sustainable eating the norm?

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share them in the comments! Together, we can explore pathways to healthier living and a more sustainable future.