Combining Low Price, Low Climate Impact and High Nutritional Value in One Shopping Basket through Diet Optimization by Linear Programming

Corné Van Dooren, Marcelo Tyszler, Gerard F. H. Kramer and Harry Aiking
Additional contact information
Corné Van Dooren: Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), Eisenhowerlaan 108, 2508 CK The Hague, The Netherlands
Gerard F. H. Kramer: Blonk Consultants, Gravin Beatrixstraat 34, 2805 PJ Gouda, The Netherlands
Harry Aiking: Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University, Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Background: This study aims to find diets with low price and low climate impact, yet fulfilling all nutritional requirements. Methods: Optimization by linear programming. The program constrains 33 nutrients to fulfill Dutch dietary requirements. In a second cycle, the upper boundary for climate impact through greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) is set to 1.6 kg carbon dioxide equivalents/day (CO 2 eq). In a third cycle, the costs are set on €2.50 as a constraint. The objective function of the optimization maximized the most consumed food products ( n = 206) for male and female adults separately (age 31–50). Results: A diet of 63 popular and low priced basic products was found to deliver all required nutrients at an adequate level for both male and female adults. This plant-based, carbohydrate and fiber-rich diet consists mainly of wholegrain bread, potatoes, muesli, open-field vegetables and fruits. The climate impact of this diet is very low (1.59 kg CO 2 eq/day) compared to the average Dutch diet. By constraining costs, a low carbon diet of €2.59/day is possible. Conclusions: A two-person diet consisting of 63 products and costing €37 per week can simultaneously be healthy and yet have half the average climate impact. Linear programming is a promising tool to combine health and sustainability on both societal and individual levels.

Keywords: climate impact; greenhouse gas emissions; nutritional adequacy; affordable food; linear programming; sustainable diets (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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