Which of the following recommendations would contribute to food sustainability?
Group of answer choices
Give up eating fresh fruits.
Eat a vegetarian diet most days of the week.
Buy grain-fed beef.
Support large-scale industrial farmers.
Reduce genetic diversity in food animals.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Eat a vegetarian diet most days of the week.
Explanation:
Food sustainability refers to the ability to provide nutritious food for the global population in a way that is environmentally, economically, and socially responsible over the long term. Among the given options, eating a vegetarian diet most days of the week is the most effective and practical recommendation for contributing to food sustainability.
Meat production, especially beef and other red meats, is one of the most resource-intensive food processes. It requires large quantities of land, water, and feed, and it emits high levels of greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide. In contrast, plant-based foods like vegetables, grains, legumes, and fruits require significantly fewer resources to produce. Shifting towards a vegetarian diet can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lessen deforestation caused by animal agriculture, and minimize water use.
Eating a vegetarian diet most days allows individuals to reduce their environmental impact without completely giving up meat, making it a more realistic and sustainable lifestyle change for many people. This approach can still provide all necessary nutrients, especially when a variety of plant-based proteins are included, such as beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, and seeds.
In contrast, the other options are detrimental to sustainability:
- Giving up fresh fruits would reduce dietary diversity and could lead to nutritional deficiencies.
- Buying grain-fed beef still contributes to environmental degradation and is less efficient than plant-based food.
- Supporting large-scale industrial farmers often promotes monoculture, overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, and poor animal welfare.
- Reducing genetic diversity in food animals makes the food supply more vulnerable to disease and climate change, threatening long-term sustainability.
Thus, eating a vegetarian diet most days of the week is a meaningful, accessible step toward a more sustainable food system.
