Environmental Impact Planner for Diets

Plan a Sustainable Diet with Our Environmental Impact Tool

Eating sustainably doesn’t have to be complicated. With the rise of climate awareness, more people are curious about how their food choices affect the planet. That’s where a dietary footprint planner comes in handy—it’s a simple way to see the real cost of your meals in terms of carbon emissions and water use. Whether you’re a veggie lover or a meat enthusiast, understanding these metrics can guide you towards greener habits.

Why Your Diet Matters for the Environment

Food production is a major driver of greenhouse gases, with some ingredients like beef contributing far more than others, such as grains or legumes. Beyond emissions, water usage is another critical factor; producing a single serving of certain foods can use thousands of litres. By planning meals with an eco-friendly lens, you’re not just helping the planet—you’re often making healthier choices too. Our tool breaks down these impacts for you, offering easy swaps for high-footprint days. Imagine cutting your weekly impact by half with just a few tweaks! Start exploring how small changes to your plate can create a big ripple effect for a sustainable future.

FAQs

How does this tool calculate my diet’s environmental impact?

We’ve built a database of over 30 common meals and ingredients, each linked to verified data on carbon emissions (in kg CO2e) and water usage (in litres per serving). When you input your weekly plan, the tool adds up these metrics for every selection. It’s not just a guess—it’s based on scientific averages from agricultural and food production studies. You’ll see a clear breakdown for each day and the whole week.

Can I trust the suggestions for lower-impact meals?

Absolutely. Our alternative meal suggestions prioritise ingredients with significantly lower environmental costs—like swapping beef for lentils, which cuts carbon emissions by up to 90% per serving. We focus on practical swaps that still fit your lifestyle and taste preferences. Plus, we’re always updating our database to reflect the latest research on sustainable eating.

Do I need to enter a full week of meals to get results?

You’ll need at least one meal per day to generate a report—that’s just to make sure we’ve got enough data for meaningful insights. But don’t worry if you skip a slot or two; the tool will still work with partial plans. It’s designed to be flexible, so whether you’re planning a full week or just a few days, you’ll get useful feedback and tips.