Sustainable Eating

What we eat affects more than just our bodies—it impacts the world around us. With growing concerns about climate change, food waste, and global food security, sustainable eating is more important than ever. Australia’s climate targets—such as those under the Paris Agreement—require significant reductions in emissions across sectors, including food and agriculture. Dietary change is part of the solution.

But what exactly does "sustainable eating" mean, and how can we practice it in our everyday lives?

Let’s break it down.

What Is Sustainable Eating & Why Does it Matter?

Sustainable eating means choosing foods that are both health-promoting and have a lower impact on the environment. It involves considering how food is grown, processed, transported, packaged, and disposed of—while making mindful choices that support the health of both people and the planet.

According to Dietitians Australia's 2022 Position Statement, a healthy and sustainable diet should be:

  • Nutritionally adequate, healthy, and safe

  • Protective of natural resources and biodiversity

  • Culturally acceptable and respectful of traditional knowledge

  • Accessible, affordable, and economically fair

Our food system contributes up to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting toward a more sustainable diet not only helps reduce your carbon footprint—it’s also linked with better health outcomes, including a lower risk of chronic disease.

Key Characteristics

A review of global and Australian research—including the EAT-Lancet Commission, WHO and FAO reports, and modelling studies—identifies the following practices as key characteristics of sustainable diets:

  • Start early in life with early initiation of breastfeeding

  • Reducing food loss and waste and avoiding overconsumption

  • Limiting ultra-processed and over-packaged products

  • Eating locally produced and seasonal foods

  • Prioritising plant-based foods and reducing red and ultra-processed meats

  • Valuing Indigenous food knowledge and wild-harvested/native foods

  • Supporting sustainable seafood practices

  • Choosing safe tap water over bottled drinks

  • Encouraging home-cooked meals and food sharing

Even small, gradual changes—when made at scale—can make a big difference.

6 Practical Tips for Eating More Sustainably

1. Eat More Plants

A predominantly plant-based diet is one of the most powerful ways to support human and planetary health. The EAT–Lancet Commission recommends doubling global intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts while halving red meat and added sugar.

You don’t need to cut out animal products completely. Even small shifts such as adopting a flexitarian style eating pattern (mostly plant-based with occasional meat intake) is a more sustainable option. Try swapping in plant-based proteins like lentils, tofu, and chickpeas or choose sustainably sourced seafood. If you're unsure whether reducing animal products is right for you, consult your dietitian to ensure your nutrient needs (like protein, iron, calcium) are met.

Tips to increase your fruit and veg:

  • Snack on fresh fruit

  • Add legumes and veg to stews, soups, and stir-fries

  • Top breakfast cereal with banana, berries, or dried fruit

2. Reduce Food Waste

Globally, food waste accounts for nearly 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. And, in Australia, households are responsible for over 2.5 million tonnes of food waste each year. You can reduce waste by planning meals, shopping with a list, storing food properly, and composting food scraps.

Get creative:

  • Use wilting veggies in soups or stir-fries

  • Freeze leftovers

  • Bring a reusable container when dining out to take leftover food home

  • Plan your meals and stick to your shopping list

  • Use the first in, first out of the fridge approach. Eating older items first keeps your food rotation fresh and prevents groceries from getting thrown in the bin.

  • Check what you have at home before buying more groceries

  • Check out the Great Unwaste — Let’s turn food waste around. For more practical ideas.

Supporting food rescue organisations like OzHarvest and Foodbank is another powerful way to help.

3. Choose Seasonal Produce

Seasonal foods usually require fewer resources to grow and transport, reducing their environmental footprint. They’re also fresher, tastier, and often cheaper.

In Australia:

  • Summer: tomatoes, zucchini, stone fruit, berries

  • Winter: avocados, broccoli, citrus fruits

  • Autumn: leafy greens, pumpkin, apples

Explore the Seasonal Food Guide Australia for a comprehensive list of what’s in season in your state.

Buying what's in season also supports Australian growers and reduces reliance on imported products.

4. Shop Local

Local foods often have fewer food miles, are fresher, and support your regional economy. Visit your local farmers’ markets, join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box, or look for “Australian grown” labels.

Check out the Australian Farmers' Market Directory to find your nearest local farmer’s market.

5. Choose Sustainably Sourced Fish

Global demand for seafood has doubled in the past 50 years, leading to overfishing and species loss. Choose low-impact options like sardines and avoid threatened species.

Use the GoodFish Guide to make responsible seafood choices specific for your region.

6. Minimising & Recycling Packaging

Packaging—especially plastic—contributes significantly to landfill and ocean pollution. You can reduce this impact by:

  • Bringing reusable bags and containers

  • Buying in bulk or choosing minimally packaged items

  • Rinsing and correctly sorting recyclables

  • Drinking (safe) tap water, over bottled beverages, where possible take your own reusable bottle

  • Using soft plastic recycling drop-offs where available

  • Returning eligible drink containers for a cash refund (via schemes like Containers for Change in some states) —a win for your wallet and the planet.

A Shared Responsibility: Individual and Policy Action

Us as consumers are the largest group involved in our food system, even if we don’t always have a strong voice as individuals. But when we have the power to choose, our everyday purchases can help drive big changes in how food is produced and consumed. While your daily food choices matter, meaningful change does require collective action. That means governments, industries, communities, and individuals all play a role.

Evidence shows the powerful impact when individual behaviour aligns with supportive policy and food system reform:

  • Hendrie et al. (2022) found that the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet has the potential to reduce global food-related greenhouse gas emissions more than threefold and lower premature deaths by up to 34%.

  • In Australia, Hendrie et al. (2022) modelled that national emissions from food could be cut by 25% if the population followed existing Australian Dietary Guidelines.

  • Candy et al. (2019) found that plant-based diets have the lowest environmental footprint—yet enabling this transition requires strong policy support to help farming systems and communities evolve sustainably.

To support a sustainable shift, we need:

  • Legislative leadership: embedding sustainability in national dietary guidelines, procurement policies, and emissions targets.

  • Food system reform: rebalancing subsidies, strengthening local food networks, and supporting regenerative agriculture.

  • Public education and infrastructure: investing in food literacy, equitable access, and environments that make healthy, sustainable choices easy and affordable.

In short, what we put on our plate matters—but so does the system that puts it there. Creating an enabling environment through government mechanisms, incentives and disincentives; legal frameworks; and regulatory instruments to promote the production, processing, distribution, labelling and marketing, and consumption of a variety of foods are crucial to contributing and promoting sustainable healthy diets.

Sustainable Eating Is a Journey

You don’t have to overhaul your entire diet overnight. Start small by trying out Meatless Mondays, reducing food waste by planning your meals or swapping one packaged snack for a seasonal fruit. Every small step helps build a healthier, more sustainable future.

At Eatwise Dietetics, we're passionate about helping you make choices that nourish your body and respect the Earth. Whether you're after practical tips, personalised nutrition advice, or just inspiration to get started, we’re here to support your journey.

Need support with making the switch? Book a consultation or get in touch with us today.

Resources & References

Acknowledgement

Eatwise Dietetics acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work. We honour their deep and ongoing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and we commit to walking together toward a more sustainable, inclusive and nourishing future for all.

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