Eating more different types of foods doesn’t automatically reduce your environmental impact, according to a 2026 study of Dutch diets published in the European Journal of Nutrition. Researchers found that people who ate greater food variety actually had higher environmental impacts across all measures, including 10.7% more greenhouse gas emissions per additional food species consumed. This means that while eating variety is nutritionally important, choosing which foods you eat matters just as much as how many different foods you include in your diet.
A new study from the Netherlands looked at whether eating a wider variety of foods helps the environment. Researchers analyzed what over 3,000 Dutch people ate and measured the environmental impact of their diets. Surprisingly, they found that people who ate more different types of foods actually had a bigger environmental footprint—producing more greenhouse gases, using more water, and requiring more land. The findings suggest that simply eating more variety isn’t enough; we also need to choose foods that are grown in environmentally friendly ways.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of Dutch dietary data found that higher food biodiversity was associated with 10.7% higher greenhouse gas emissions per additional food species consumed, suggesting that dietary variety alone doesn’t guarantee environmental sustainability.
According to research reviewed by Gram, the same 2026 study showed that people eating more diverse diets consumed 1.4% more blue water (groundwater) per additional food species, indicating that variety increases pressure on water resources.
A 2026 analysis of over 3,000 Dutch adults found that land use increased by 4.9% for each additional food species consumed, demonstrating that dietary diversity correlates with greater agricultural land requirements.
Research published in 2026 showed that freshwater eutrophication (nutrient pollution) increased by 0.00128% per additional food species in diverse diets, revealing that variety affects multiple environmental dimensions simultaneously.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether eating a wider variety of different foods reduces the environmental damage caused by our diets
- Who participated: Dutch adults who participated in a national food survey between 2012 and 2016, with detailed records of everything they ate over two days
- Key finding: People who ate more different types of foods had higher environmental impacts across all measures tested, including greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land use
- What it means for you: Eating variety is still healthy and important for nutrition, but choosing which foods you eat matters just as much as how many different foods you include. Focus on both diversity and environmentally friendly options.
The Research Details
Researchers used data from a large Dutch national survey where people recorded everything they ate over two separate 24-hour periods. They counted how many different food species each person consumed—not how much they ate, just whether they ate it or not. For example, eating one apple and ten apples both counted as eating one species. They then matched this information with environmental data about how each food was produced, measuring things like greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land requirements. The researchers used statistical methods to look for connections between food variety and environmental impact, while accounting for factors like age, sex, education level, and how much total food people ate.
This approach is important because it separates two different ideas about healthy eating: eating lots of different foods (which is nutritionally good) and eating foods that don’t harm the environment (which is ecologically good). By studying them separately, researchers could see whether these two goals naturally go together or whether they sometimes conflict.
This study used real-world data from a large, representative sample of Dutch people, which makes the findings reliable for that population. The researchers carefully adjusted their analysis to account for confusing factors like total calories eaten and body weight. However, the study only looked at Dutch diets and food production systems, so results might differ in other countries with different farming practices. The study was observational, meaning it shows associations but cannot prove that eating more variety directly causes higher environmental impact.
What the Results Show
The study found that every increase in food variety was linked to higher environmental impacts across all six measures tested. For greenhouse gas emissions, people who ate more different foods produced about 10.7% more emissions per additional species consumed. For freshwater eutrophication (pollution from excess nutrients), the increase was about 0.00128% per additional species. Land use increased by about 4.9% per additional species, and blue water consumption (water from underground sources) increased by about 1.4% per additional species. These associations remained statistically significant even after researchers adjusted for total calories and total food weight eaten, though some associations became weaker. The pattern held true whether people were eating more plant-based variety, animal-based variety, or a mix of both.
When researchers adjusted their analysis to account for how much total food people were eating, some of the associations between food variety and environmental impact became smaller but remained significant. This suggests that part of the higher environmental impact comes from eating more total food, but part of it comes specifically from the types of foods that people add when they increase their variety. The study found this pattern consistently across all environmental measures, indicating it’s a robust finding rather than a one-time occurrence.
Previous research has often assumed that eating more food variety automatically leads to more sustainable diets, but this study challenges that assumption. According to Gram Research analysis, this work adds important nuance by showing that food biodiversity and environmental sustainability are separate goals that don’t automatically align. Other studies have focused on either variety or environmental impact separately, but few have directly compared them in the same population.
The study only included Dutch people and Dutch food production systems, so the results may not apply to other countries where foods are grown differently. The study measured food variety by counting different species eaten, not by measuring the actual amounts, which might miss important details about how much environmental impact different portion sizes have. The research is observational, meaning it shows what happened but cannot prove that eating more variety causes higher environmental impact—other factors could explain the connection. Additionally, the study only looked at two 24-hour periods per person, which may not fully represent their typical eating patterns throughout the year.
The Bottom Line
Eating a variety of foods remains important for good nutrition and health. However, when choosing which foods to eat, prioritize foods that have lower environmental impacts, such as plant-based options, locally grown produce, and foods from sustainable farming systems. The evidence suggests that simply increasing the number of different foods you eat won’t automatically reduce your environmental footprint. Instead, aim for both variety and environmental consciousness in your food choices.
This research matters for anyone interested in eating in ways that are both healthy and good for the planet. It’s particularly relevant for people designing nutrition guidelines, environmental advocates, and individuals trying to make sustainable food choices. The findings don’t mean people should eat less variety—rather, they should be thoughtful about which varieties they choose.
Changes in environmental impact from dietary choices can be measured relatively quickly—within weeks to months you could see differences in your personal carbon footprint if you shift to more sustainable food choices. However, the broader environmental benefits from widespread dietary changes would take years to become visible in global environmental measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eating more variety help the environment?
Not necessarily. A 2026 study found that people eating more diverse diets had higher environmental impacts across all measures, including 10.7% more greenhouse gas emissions per additional food species. Variety is nutritionally important, but choosing lower-impact foods matters equally.
What’s the connection between food biodiversity and environmental impact?
Food biodiversity (eating many different species) and environmental sustainability are separate goals. The 2026 research shows they don’t automatically align—more variety correlated with higher greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land use, suggesting you need to consider both factors intentionally.
Can I eat a diverse diet that’s also environmentally friendly?
Yes, but you need to be intentional about it. Focus on eating many different foods while prioritizing plant-based options and sustainably produced items. The study shows that variety plus environmental consciousness requires deliberate food choices, not just eating more different things.
How much does eating more variety increase my environmental footprint?
Each additional food species consumed was linked to approximately 10.7% higher greenhouse gas emissions, 4.9% more land use, and 1.4% more groundwater consumption in the 2026 Dutch study. The exact impact depends on which specific foods you add.
Should I stop eating variety to help the environment?
No. Dietary variety remains important for nutrition and health. Instead, maintain variety while being selective about which foods you choose—prioritize plant-based options and sustainably produced foods over high-impact alternatives within each food category.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track both the number of different foods eaten per week and the environmental impact category of each food (plant-based, sustainably raised animal products, or conventional). Aim to maintain or increase variety while shifting the proportion toward lower-impact options.
- When planning meals, challenge yourself to eat 5-7 different foods per day (maintaining variety) while ensuring at least 60% come from plant-based sources or foods labeled as sustainably produced. Use the app to log meals and see your environmental impact score alongside your dietary diversity score.
- Weekly review of your dietary diversity score alongside your estimated environmental footprint. Set goals to maintain high variety while reducing overall environmental impact by swapping high-impact foods for lower-impact alternatives within similar food categories.
This research shows associations between food variety and environmental impact in Dutch populations and cannot prove direct causation. Results may not apply to other countries with different food production systems. While this study provides important insights, dietary choices should balance nutritional needs, environmental impact, and personal health goals. Consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have specific health conditions or nutritional requirements. Environmental impact varies significantly based on food production methods, sourcing, and local agricultural practices.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
