The Planetary Health Diet in contrast to the food-based dietary guidelines
Breidenassel C, Schäfer AC, Micka M, Richter M, Linseisen J, Watzl B
for the German Nutrition Society (DGE): The Planetary Health Diet
in contrast to the food-based dietary guidelines of the German Nu-
trition Society (DGE). A DGE statement.
Ernahrungs Umschau 2022; 69(5): 56–72.e1–3.
This statement was written following the publication of the first edition of the Planetary Health Diet (PHD). Both the Food Based Dietary Guidelines of the DGE and the PHD are now available in revised versions. Nevertheless, many of the points discussed remain valid. An updated comparison of the recommendations is provided in the fact sheet “Sustainable Dietary Recommendations" (German only).
The Planetary Health Diet was developed as a global concept for a health-promoting diet that stays within planetary boundaries. It received a great deal of attention when it was published. However, the methods used to derive the Planetary Health Diet, its statements, and its feasibility in terms of practical implementation nevertheless need to be evaluated through scientific discourse. To this end, this German Nutrition Society statement compares the recommended food quantities of the Planetary Health Diet with the German Nutrition Society’s food-based dietary guidelines and with data on actual food intakes in Germany. The results show that there is broad agreement between the Planetary Health Diet and the German Nutrition Society’s recommendations as they are both plant-based diets. The main differences are in the recommendations for milk and dairy products. The practical implementation of the Planetary Health Diet requires that regional conditions are taken into account as an additional step. The German Nutrition Society’s recommendations already consider regional conditions. The nutritional reality in Germany sharply contrasts with both recommendations. Ernahrungs Umschau 2022 69 56-72