Students challenged to eat well for the planet

A month-long meal plan gets under way with the aim of helping students to eat healthily and sustainably.

A month-long challenge to encourage students to eat well while supporting the environment is being launched by the University’s Food Security and Sustainability Society.

The Planetary Health Meal Plan will get under way at a live online event, featuring a cook-along and tips on how to make the most of the initiative.

The dietary challenge, aimed at students from Edinburgh and Dundee, has been developed by the University of Edinburgh’s Food Security and Sustainability Society and Dundee University Medical Society, inspired by the EAT Lancet’s recent Commission on Food, Planet, Health.

Students and staff at the Universities of Dundee will take part in the event, which will also feature Sarah Bridle, author and advocate for sustainable food systems, and chef Kirsty Haigh from Edinburgh social enterprise Edinburgh Food Social.

Winning incentives

The first 30 people to sign up for the month-long challenge will receive a free essentials meal box courtesy of Easter Greens, a shop with net-zero ambitions.

Participants at the launch will have the opportunity to get involved in events and win prizes throughout the month.

Meals included in the plan promote plant-based items such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, with meat and dairy in small quantities.

The EAT Lancet Commission found that this type of diet can reduce carbon emissions, while making the general population healthier.

Many students arriving at university would welcome support on how to cook and how to shop sustainably. We hope the meal plan will inspire students to think about how to make their diet more sustainable and healthier, and to improve their cooking skills in the process.
Julian Mashingaidze
Undergraduate student and President of the University’s Student Society on Food Security

Students challenged to eat well for the planet

Winning incentives

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