Researchers in Hungary compared three different eating plans to see which one was best for your health and the environment. They looked at the average Hungarian diet, a popular local eating guide called the Smart Plate, and an international plan called the Planetary Health Diet. The study found that the Planetary Health Diet was the winner on both counts—it helped prevent more diseases and created less pollution from greenhouse gases and land use. This research suggests that if Hungary adopted this diet, people could be healthier while also helping protect our planet from climate change.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Which eating plan is best for keeping people healthy while also protecting the environment: the average Hungarian diet, the Smart Plate (a popular local eating guide), or the Planetary Health Diet (an international plan that focuses on both health and the environment)?
- Who participated: This wasn’t a study where people ate different diets. Instead, researchers analyzed food data from a large 2019 Hungarian nutrition survey and compared three different eating patterns using scientific guidelines about healthy food amounts.
- Key finding: The Planetary Health Diet met healthy eating targets in 4 out of 9 food groups, while the Smart Plate and average Hungarian diet each only met targets in 1 food group. The Planetary Health Diet also created the least pollution and used the least land.
- What it means for you: If you live in Hungary or follow similar eating patterns, switching to a Planetary Health Diet approach may help you stay healthier and reduce your personal impact on climate change. However, this research shows what’s theoretically best—real-world results depend on whether people can actually follow these recommendations.
The Research Details
Researchers used data from Hungary’s 2019 National Nutrition and Nutritional Status Survey to describe what the average Hungarian person actually eats. They then compared this real-world diet with two recommended eating plans: the Smart Plate (created by Hungarian dietitians) and the Planetary Health Diet (an international recommendation). For each diet, they calculated how much of different food groups people would eat daily.
To measure health benefits, they used guidelines from the Global Burden of Disease study, which identifies the ideal amounts of nine different food groups that reduce disease risk the most. Think of it like a checklist—the more food groups a diet gets right, the healthier it should be. To measure environmental impact, they calculated greenhouse gas emissions and land use for each diet using a scientific database called SHARP.
This approach is important because it combines two things we care about: personal health and planetary health. Most diet recommendations focus only on what’s good for your body, but this research shows that some diets are also better for the environment. By comparing real eating patterns with recommended diets, researchers could show what changes would actually make a difference.
The health recommendations used in this study (Global Burden of Disease guidelines) are considered reliable because they’re based on thousands of scientific studies, systematic reviews, and large-scale research following people over many years. The environmental calculations match what other international researchers have found. However, this study didn’t follow real people eating these diets—it was a theoretical comparison based on food data and scientific guidelines.
What the Results Show
The Planetary Health Diet came out as the clear winner for health. It met the optimal intake targets for 4 out of 9 food groups, meaning it provided the healthiest amounts of foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. In comparison, both the Smart Plate and the average Hungarian diet only met optimal targets for 1 food group each.
For environmental impact, the differences were even more dramatic. The average Hungarian diet had the largest environmental footprint, creating the most greenhouse gases and using the most land. The Smart Plate was better, but still created more pollution and land use than needed. The Planetary Health Diet had the smallest environmental footprint by a significant margin.
Interestingly, the Planetary Health Diet achieved both the best health outcomes AND the smallest environmental impact. This suggests that eating in a way that’s good for the planet is also good for your body.
The research showed that the average Hungarian diet fell short in meeting healthy amounts of several important food groups. The Smart Plate, while better than the average diet, still didn’t meet optimal recommendations for most food groups. This suggests that even official dietary guidelines may need improvement. The environmental data revealed that current Hungarian eating patterns require significantly more resources (land and energy) than necessary, contributing more to climate change than healthier alternatives.
These findings align with international research showing that plant-based and plant-forward diets are both healthier and better for the environment. The Planetary Health Diet’s advantages match what scientists have found in other countries. The study confirms that the environmental footprint of food choices is a real and measurable factor that affects climate change and, indirectly, human health through environmental impacts.
This study didn’t follow real people eating these diets over time, so we don’t know if people would actually stick to the Planetary Health Diet or experience the predicted health benefits. The research used data from 2019, so eating patterns may have changed. The study focused on Hungary specifically, so results might be different in other countries with different food systems. Additionally, the study didn’t account for factors like cost, food availability, cultural preferences, or how easy it would be for people to actually change their eating habits.
The Bottom Line
If you’re interested in improving your health and reducing your environmental impact, consider moving toward a Planetary Health Diet approach by eating more plant-based foods, whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, and less processed foods and animal products. This recommendation has moderate-to-strong evidence based on this research and international studies. However, make changes gradually and in a way that works for your budget, culture, and lifestyle. Consult with a healthcare provider or dietitian before making major dietary changes, especially if you have health conditions.
This research is relevant for anyone living in Hungary or following similar eating patterns, policymakers considering dietary guidelines, people concerned about climate change, and anyone interested in eating in a way that benefits both personal and planetary health. People with specific medical conditions should consult healthcare providers before changing their diet. The research is less directly applicable to people in countries with very different food systems or climates.
Health benefits from dietary changes typically take weeks to months to become noticeable (like improved energy or digestion) and months to years to significantly reduce disease risk. Environmental benefits happen immediately when you make the change, but the planet-wide impact depends on many people making similar choices.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily servings of plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes) and compare them to Planetary Health Diet targets. Set a goal to gradually increase plant-based servings each week while reducing processed foods and animal products.
- Start by replacing one meal per week with a plant-based version, then gradually increase to two meals, then three. For example, try a vegetable-based lunch one day, then add a plant-based dinner another day. Use the app to log these meals and track your progress toward Planetary Health Diet targets.
- Weekly check-ins on plant-based food intake, monthly reviews of overall dietary pattern changes, and quarterly assessments of how you feel (energy levels, digestion, overall health). Track environmental impact by noting reduced meat consumption and increased plant-based choices.
This research presents theoretical comparisons of eating patterns and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions, allergies, or take medications, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. The health benefits described are based on scientific guidelines but may vary for individuals. This study was conducted in Hungary and may not directly apply to all populations or food systems. Results are based on 2019 data and may not reflect current food availability or eating patterns.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.