Replacing specific animal products with the most consumed plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy can deliver environmental and health benefits for people, a study shows. Swapping commonly consumed animal-sourced foods for plant- and fungi-based alternatives could reduce environmental impacts while maintaining nutritional quality.Researchers from the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems collaborated with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to assess the effects of replacing processed meats, milk and yoghurt with plant-based alternatives.The findings highlight that targeted, single-food swaps, particularly replacing processed meats, offer a practical route to improving both health and environmental sustainability.Environmental gainsThe research used UK supermarket data to recreate a low-cost, culturally typical weekly shopping basket for a single adult to reflect realistic eating patterns, including everyday meals as well as occasional treats.Alternative versions were created by swapping specific animal products for plant-based options.All alternative diets led to reductions in environmental footprints, including greenhouse gas emissions and land use, as well as water use decreases of up to seven per cent.The biggest gains were seen when replacing processed meats, which are widely consumed in the UK and associated with higher environmental impacts, with plant-based products. Plant-based burgers, such as this soy-based patty, were used as alternatives to processed meat in the study. Balanced nutritionMost substitutions using plant-based alternatives showed minimal nutritional differences compared to the original diet with animal-based products.Replacing milk with the cheapest plant-based alternative led to lower levels of iodine, a key nutrient, highlighting the importance of choosing fortified products.Overall, most swaps maintained nutrient intakes in line with expert recommendations, particularly meat and dairy substitutes contributed to increased fibre intake - a nutrient often lacking in UK diets.Cost challengesWhile many dairy alternatives reduced overall basket costs, plant-based meat substitutes increased costs, making large-scale dietary shifts challenging without policy support.Measures such as subsidies, pricing reforms or policy changes could help make plant-based options more accessible, the research team suggests.This research was published in Current Developments in Nutrition, led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and supported by the National Institute for Health Research and the Af Jochnick Foundation. Our study uses real-world supermarket data, reflecting what people actually buy and eat, rather than relying on averages or theoretical diets. This makes the findings more relevant to everyday food choices. Dr Jacqueline Tereza da Silva, Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems Small, targeted swaps to what we eat can deliver meaningful benefits for both health and the environment. Replacing processed meats with plant-based alternatives could play an important role in meeting climate and public health goals.“To make this achievable at scale, we need to ensure these options are affordable and nutritionally robust, supported by clear information and policies that enable people to make sustainable changes. Dr Sarah Nájera Espinosa, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Related linksScientific publication Tags Agriculture News Publication date 05 May, 2026
