An Italian-Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Developed Based on the EAT-Lancet Reference Diet (EAT-IT): A Nutritional Evaluation

Abstract

There is an urgent need to promote healthy and sustainable diets that are tailored to the preferences and cultures of different populations. The present study aimed to (i) define a Mediterranean dietary pattern in line with the EAT-Lancet Commission reference diet (ELCRD), based on 2500 kcal/day and adapted to the Italian food habits (EAT-IT); (ii) develop a mid/long-term dietary plan based on EAT-IT and a dietary plan based on the Italian Dietary Guidelines (IDG); (iii) compare the two dietary plans in terms of portions, frequencies of consumption, and nutritional adequacy based on the nutrient and energy recommendations for the Italian adult population. The main differences between the two plans were related to the higher amount of fruit and vegetables in the IDG compared to the EAT-IT, while the EAT-IT plan was higher in nuts and legumes, which represent the main protein sources in the ELCRD. Differences in the protein sources, especially milk and derivatives, and for cereal-based foods, were also found. Dietary plans were comparable for most nutrients, except for higher energy from lipids and vegetal protein, a higher amount of fiber, and lower levels of calcium that were evidenced for the EAT-IT dietary plan compared to the IDG-based one. In conclusion, the analysis of the EAT-IT demonstrated certain nutritional issues. It remains to be determined whether this may represent a health concern in further studies aimed at investigating the feasibility of sustainable dietary patterns.

Is Nut Consumption Related to a Sustainable Diet? A Pilot Study on Italian Male Consumers

“…As expected from the differences between the two scores for adherence to the Mediterranean diet, we observed high MDS-14 scores among nut consumers (nut consumption questions were included) but no differences in the MEDScore-55 results between groups. Although the EAT-Lancet Commission suggested a higher consumption of nuts compared to that in the healthy Mediterranean style [7], the inclusion of nuts among the proteins from vegetable sources implicates greater energy from lipids [9], as observed in our study. Due to the low score assigned to alcohol consumption, MEDScore-55 can be considered healthier according to the latest national guidelines for nutrition [60], in addition to having a low environmental impact [6].…”

“…The authors concluded that the consumption of nuts and legumes should be doubled to meet the targets proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission [8]. However, Tucci et al [9] recently noted that adapting a 2500 kcal/d EAT-Lancet Commission reference diet (ELCRD) to Italian food habits (EAT-IT) would yield considerably higher nut consumption compared with a dietary plan based on the Italian dietary guidelines (IDG) and would present certain nutritional issues due to the higher energy intake from lipids. In a randomized controlled trial among men, the energy intake from a walnut-supplement diet (including 75 g/d of walnuts) exceeded the usual diet, and 86% of the total fat from walnuts was not displaced [10].…”

Changing Dietary Behavior for Better Biodiversity Preservation: A Preliminary Study

“…The Mediterranean dietary pattern, being a plant-based diet, can protect the environment from further losses and can therefore play an important role in supporting biodiversity [ 72 ]. With the alarming pace of food biodiversity loss, shifting toward environmentally friendly dietary patterns can be seen as urgently needed [ 73 ].…”

The Promotions of Sustainable Lunch Meals in School Feeding Programs: The Case of Italy

“…In addition to that, EAT-Lancet recommendations have not a prescriptive intent but represent a general model that the Authors reported as a universal healthy diet. Comparison between the recommended portions of the Italian dietary guidelines for healthy eating and the planetary healthy diet adapted to Italian habits was carried out in [ 33 ]. The Italian recommendations suggest a higher amount of fruit and vegetables compared to the planetary healthy diet, while the EAT-Lancet plan was higher in nuts and legumes, which represent the main protein sources.…”