Healthy food systems for a healthy diet

Diets are much more than food; they are culture, identity, and a lifestyle, to the point that “we are what we eat”. Across the world, there has been a change away from traditional diets, characterised by high consumption of seasonal and local plant-based foods, grains, and fruits, towards a homogeneous, global diet made of processed foods high in calories, sugar, and animal fat, and sedentary lifestyles. This “nutrition transition” is highly relevant because modern diets have been related to negative effects on the health of people and the planet. Particularly, overconsumption of unhealthy food options has led to an increase in chronic, non-communicable diseases and obesity, even in children. Furthermore, overconsuming food requires producing more of it, resulting in significant environmental and social impacts as well as a large amount of food lost and wasted before it reaches consumers. Also, as the global diet Westernises, concern for the world’s food security and sovereignty is growing. In this context, it is essential to take action at all levels to further transform food systems to more sustainable and healthier systems, while simultaneously respecting local eating tradition and culture.

Life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA = LCA + Life Cycle Costing + Social LCA) is an approach that applies systems thinking, identifying all processes along value chains that matter from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. It is a powerful tool to critically measure the sustainability of current food systems and help them improve their ability to build a healthy planet, in which food systems are a source of health for people and a guarantee of a future planet Earth for all.

Spain is, along with other nearby countries, the cradle of the Mediterranean diet, which is usually considered one of the best in the world. Based on fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, pulses, and lean meat and incorporating specific cooking methods, it has a positive impact on human health and the planet compared to prevailing Westernised diets. Spain is also Europe’s orchard, being one of the largest producers of fruits and vegetables for export, which indicates the strategic importance of the agricultural sector for the economic, territorial, social, and environmental development of the country.

Nevertheless, current food consumption and production trends in Spain need improvement: many Spaniards have turned their back on the Mediterranean diet and eat more than they should. Moreover, intensive crop and livestock production has led to many unresolved environmental and social impacts that need to be addressed urgently.

The LCA food community in Spain is mature, large, and always growing. We use LCA to address the challenges of our food systems and contribute to improve the method to better represent critical aspects in the country, including but not limited to water scarcity, soil quality, and nutrient pollution.

So, we hope to see you in Spain to help us celebrate this 14th edition of the LCA Food conference.