Plant-Based and Sustainable Diets: Benefits, Trends, and Sustainability Insights

As interest grows in foods that benefit both personal health and the environment, plant-based and sustainable eating patterns have shifted from a niche trend to a global norm. Data from Innova Market Insights shows a steady rise in plant-based product launches worldwide, with Asia experiencing an impressive compound annual growth rate of 85% between 2018 and 2022.
 
Gaining clarity on what plant-based and sustainable diets entail—and how they support broader sustainability objectives—can help foodservice professionals, manufacturers, and suppliers make informed choices that balance nutrition, taste, affordability, and environmental and social responsibility.
 
Understanding Plant-Based Diets
A plant-based diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, while reducing the intake of saturated fats, sugars, and salt.
 
Popular approaches include vegan and vegetarian diets, which restrict or eliminate animal-derived foods such as meat, dairy, and eggs. Flexitarian diets, which are primarily plant-focused but occasionally include animal products, are also widely adopted. The Mediterranean diet exemplifies this flexible approach, centering on plant foods while incorporating seafood and animal products in moderation.
 
Foods in a Plant-Based Diet
At first glance, a plant-based diet may appear restrictive, but variety is key to maximizing its benefits. Jackie Schulz, Senior Director of Global Nutrition at Griffith Foods, emphasizes that consuming a wide range of fruits, vegetables, grains, and plant-based proteins can make such diets both nutritious and complete. However, she notes that a plant-based diet can also be unhealthy if it relies heavily on calorie-dense, nutrient-poor processed foods.
 
Benefits and Challenges
Plant-based diets offer several advantages:

 
However, poorly planned plant-based diets can have drawbacks. These include potential deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, and calcium, less appealing flavors in some meat alternatives, and lower satiety if protein intake is insufficient. Fortified foods and improved flavor development can help address these issues.
 
What Is a Sustainable Diet?
A sustainable diet minimizes environmental impact while supporting food security and promoting health for current and future generations. Plant-based and vegan diets are often viewed as among the most sustainable options. For example, the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet prioritizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Other models, such as the Nordic diet, also focus on plant-based foods, seasonal and local ingredients, fish, whole grains, and reduced meat and sugar consumption.
 
Practices for Sustainable Eating
To lower environmental footprints, restaurants and suppliers can source local and seasonal ingredients and collaborate with farmers who use regenerative agricultural practices. While these goals may not always be practical or cost-effective, partnering with sustainability-focused suppliers can still help reduce environmental impact. Serving smaller portions of animal-based foods or offering animal-free options can also contribute to lowering emissions.
 
Benefits of Sustainable Diets 
Plant-based and sustainable diets often overlap, as plant-focused eating typically has a smaller environmental footprint. Consumers and product developers should ensure that sustainable offerings are nutritionally balanced and diverse.
 
The United Nations estimates that the food sector accounts for 30% of global energy use and 22% of greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the importance of sustainable dietary choices. Beyond environmental benefits, sustainable diets support long-term health, food security, and regenerative agricultural systems.
 
Integrating Sustainability Across the Supply Chain
To deliver food products that are healthy, flavorful, and sustainable, organizations must align consumer expectations with environmental and social responsibility. This alignment begins with ingredient sourcing and extends throughout the supply chain.
 
Sustainable Sourcing Strategies
Achieving sustainability requires traceability from farm to factory. For instance, initiatives like TEROVA emphasize farmer-centric sourcing, providing training and incentives for sustainable farming practices that enhance soil health and productivity.
 
Griffith Foods also advocates for sourcing approaches that protect workers’ rights and prevent deforestation across the supply chain.