2026/03/12 by Sarah Nájera Espinosa, Arli Guadalupe Zárate-Ortiz, Genevieve Hadida +6 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact #Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability #Organic Food and Agriculture
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107669
openalex publication_date 2026/03/12 · openalex created_date 2026/03/13 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Background: Evidence suggests dietary shifts away from animal-sourced toward plant-based foods benefit health and the environment. Although the United Kingdom's (UK) meat consumption has decreased, further efforts are required to meet national targets. Novel plant- and fungi-based foods (NPBFs) could offer a straightforward alternative to animal-sourced foods with a similar sensory experience. However, their impact on nutrition, the environment, and cost remains unclear. Objectives: We aimed to identify trade-offs and co-benefits of substituting specific animal-sourced foods with NPBFs in a UK minimally accepted "basic basket" (baseline) stratified by gender. Methods: Nine new baskets were created to assess the nutritional, environmental, and cost outcomes by substituting either all processed meats, milk, or yogurt with NPBFs (most popular, nutritionally balanced, inexpensive). Foods from the "basic basket" were matched with the UK food composition table. NPBF nutritional data were collected from UK supermarkets using Open Food Facts. All foods were matched with dietary environmental footprints (greenhouse gas emissions, water, and land use). Prices were manually collected from UK supermarkets. Results: Dietary environmental footprints decreased in all new baskets (‒0.39% to ‒6.94%). Nutritional outcomes varied across new baskets, with most substitutions aligned with recommended weekly averages. Baskets with the most nutritionally balanced NPBFs showed minimal nutritional differences compared to the baseline. Notable micronutrient reductions occurred when replacing milk with the most inexpensive alternative. Nearly all dairy alternative substitutions lowered food basket costs, except for the most popular plant-based drink. All plant-based meats increased the cost. Conclusions: When the nutritional quality of individual NPBFs is considered, single-targeted replacements of specific animal-sourced foods by NPBFs present a powerful opportunity for health and environmental benefits, especially over processed meats. Without policies to improve NPBFs' affordability, such a shift at the population level is unlikely, missing an opportunity to drive progress toward net zero and health targets.