Why would a wildlife conservation organization be involved in a campaign to push people to diversify their diets? As it turns out, the way we humans eat is very much linked to preserving wildlife — and many other issues. This was the topic at a recent conference in Paris where the World Wildlife Fund and Knorr foods teamed up to launch their campaign and report, titled “Future 50 Foods: 50 Foods for Healthier People and a Healthier Planet.”
According to the report, 75 percent of the food we consume comes from just 12 plant sources and five animal sources. And just three crops — wheat, corn, and rice — make up nearly 60 percent of the plant-based calories in most diets. The lack of variety in agriculture is both bad for nature and a threat to food security, the report says. It argues that it’s essential we change our eating habits to protect the planet and ensure we are able to feed our growing global population.
To battle this lack of food diversity, the campaign selected 50 foods that we should incorporate into our diets for their high nutritional value, low environmental impact, flavor, accessibility, and affordability. The list includes the ancient grain fonio, which resembles couscous, as well as various mushrooms, algae, cactuses and salsify, a root vegetable.
