I read all 288 pages @food_strategy, and this is what I learnt
🧵 THREAD
1/
TL;DR - our food system needs multi-level intervention to improve our health, healthcare systems, biodiversity and climate emergency
14 recommendations and the govt has 6 mths to respond.
2/
Deforestation, climate change and overfishing is all linked...to food production.
Food production contributes to 33% and 20% of UK of global greenhouse gas emissions.
(air travel = 3.5% global emissions)
There is a huge biomass of farm animals for food production.
3/
Diet has huge implications for human health.
In 1980, on average, 57% of a household’s grocery budget was spent on ingredients for home-cooked food.
By 2000, this had fallen to 35%, while the share of processed foods which required little preparation rose from 26% to 45%.
4/
The food system is really complex - a truly 'wicked' problem and needs multi-system change.
5/
Unhealthy foods cheaper, and marketed more.
Limited evidence that you can outrun a bad diet
➡️ Sitting more does not necessary mean less calories burnt - may be used in other places, e.g. immunity
➡️ As conscious exercise ⬆️, we may unconsciously move less rest of the day
6/
Junk food cycle:
Our willpower has not changed in 50 yrs
Our appetite craves calorie dense food
Food companies create these unhealthy foods - that are inherently addictive
These foods stimulates our appetite...
@DoctorChrisVT @ProfBatterhamMD : bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod…
7/
The 'ultra-processed food' classification is not recognised by food companies at the moment:
cambridge.org/core/journals/…
8/
Eating vegetables has a much lower carbon footprint.
BUT this could have huge implications for our farmers who make massive sacrifices already with very thin or no profit margins.
9/
However mandatory meat taxation may not be the best way to make this change overall
Other ways
➡️ Cattle that produce less methane
➡️ Lab grown meat, or soy or yeast protein
➡️ Challenging government institutions, e.g. school cc @jamieoliver
10/
The report suggests a change in farming from intensive farm to 'regenerative' or mixed 3-compartment model for farming.
But again could have implications for farmers and their yields.
11/
Where is most of the food waste after it has left the farm?
In our houses!
12/
Changing climates could worsen crop yields in the Southern Hemisphere.
The pursuit for food security, risks greater environmental harm which risk further food security.
Higher demand risks climate change, and demand for animal foods resulting in crop failures and migration
13/
Trade plays a role in the national environmental impact of food.
The UK has the highest food welfare standards in the world.
14/
14 recommendations for change from taxation, food company reporting, work in schools, the healthcare system and GPs, changes in farming practices and law.
These changes would cost £1.4 billion per year but have long term benefits of £126 billion.
15/
Lastly with headlines about GPs prescribing vegetables...
Based on a planned wider "Community EatWell Programme" based on @dc_greens
It would work via PCNs - GPs would refer to a link worker who would direct to community kitchens...
I think the £2 million is not enough.
16/
Does doctors prescribing fruit and vegetables work?
Well maybe from a systematic review - lots of different studies, inconsistent outcomes and studies at quite a high risk of bias.
academic.oup.com/advances/advan…
ENDS
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