Are diets with less meat and dairy still nutritionally healthy and more environmentally friendly?

Replacing 100% of meat and dairy with plant-based foods may lower environmental impacts by more than 40%.

• Replacing 30% of meat and dairy did not significantly change the percentage of adults below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for all nutrients studied.
• In the 100% replacement scenario, saturated fat intake decreased by approximately 35%, and sodium intake decreased by about 8%.
• Median calcium intakes were below the Adequate Intake level.
• Estimated intakes of fiber, iron, and vitamin D increased, though non-heme iron had lower bioavailability.
• Between 10-31% of adults had intakes of zinc, thiamin, and vitamin B12 below the EAR, with 60% having inadequate vitamin A intake.
• Replacing 30% of meat and dairy resulted in a 14% reduction in environmental impacts while maintaining neutral effects on other nutrients.

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