The Tim Noakes diet, climate change and entomophagy
by Dian Spear
A new study published in Nature Climate Change on 31 August 2014 by Bojana Bajželj and colleagues from the University of Cambridge emphasizes the importance of diet choice in driving climate change. In particular, the article highlights the stark reality that current rates of food production alone could meet global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets by 2050. The authors go on to suggest that reduced food waste and improved diets are essential, no-regret options to achieving necessary emission reductions.
Besides the methane emissions that result from livestock production, an important driver of GHG emissions is the expansion of agriculture and change in land use that accompanies it. This is linked to the inefficient conversion of plant feed to meat at less than 3%. It is clear, therefore, that global food security needs to be achieved without expanding crop or pastureland and the authors suggest achieving this through a change in diet.
The balanced diets that are suggested for mitigating climate change include two 85g portions of red meat and five eggs per week as well as a portion of chicken per day. This doesn’t fit well with the latest diet craze in South Africa – the Tim Noakes Diet. This low carb, high fat diet – also known as the Banting diet –increases consumption of animal fat and reduces the consumption of carbohydrates, whilst continuing the presence of protein in the diet – thereby promoting an animal-based diet.
The study by Bajželj et al. calls for food supply and demand options that don’t lead to extensive agricultural expansion. Vegetarianism not appealing – how about entomophagy? Edible insects are becoming recognized as an alternative food source option that is more efficient at converting plant feed to meat than conventional livestock. The first “Insects to feed the world” conference was held 14th-17th May 2014 as a collaboration between Wageningen University and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Further information on the nutritional content of edible insects can be found in FAO’s 2013 report. Not only are they a good source of protein but some of them, e.g. meal worms, are a source of omega-3 and six fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in similar quantities to fish. Eat your hearts out banters.
Image: http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/un-grocery-list-bread-milk-grubs-beetles-maggots-05152013