Researchers in Mexico compared what people currently eat with seven different healthier diet options to see which ones were cheaper, better for the environment, and nutritious. They found that switching to healthier diets—like eating more plants and less meat—could actually save money while reducing pollution, water use, and land damage. Most of these diets provided all the nutrients people need, though some plant-based options needed vitamin B12 supplements. This research suggests that Mexico could improve public health while protecting the environment by encouraging these dietary changes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can healthier, more environmentally friendly diets be cheaper and more nutritious than what Mexicans currently eat?
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a study of actual people eating different diets. Instead, researchers used computer models based on food data from 12,000+ Mexican adults surveyed in 2012 and 2016 to create typical food baskets for different diet types.
  • Key finding: Healthy, sustainable diets cost 12-24% less than current Mexican diets while using 24-53% less land and producing 63-81% fewer greenhouse gases. Vegetarian diets were the cheapest option.
  • What it means for you: If you live in Mexico or eat a similar diet, switching to healthier foods—especially plant-based options—could save you money at the grocery store while helping the environment. However, you may need a B12 supplement if you go vegetarian or vegan, and everyone should ensure adequate vitamin D intake.

The Research Details

This was a computer modeling study, not an experiment where people actually ate different diets. Researchers used a tool called DIETCOST to create realistic shopping baskets for seven different healthy diet scenarios and compared them to the typical Mexican diet. They based the current diet on actual food surveys from over 12,000 Mexican adults collected in 2012 and 2016.

The seven healthier diet options included: Mexico’s official healthy eating guidelines, the EAT-Lancet diet (a globally recommended diet), a Mexican version of that diet, the traditional Milpa diet (corn, beans, and squash), and three plant-based options (vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian—which includes fish). They looked at two versions of the current diet: one matching what people actually eat and one adjusted to have the same calories as the healthier options.

For each diet basket, researchers calculated the cost using real 2016 Mexican grocery prices, checked if it provided enough vitamins and minerals, and measured environmental impact using four measures: carbon footprint (greenhouse gases), land use, water use, and effects on wildlife.

Computer modeling allows researchers to compare many diet scenarios quickly and affordably without asking thousands of people to change their eating habits for months. This approach is especially useful in middle-income countries like Mexico where detailed environmental data for foods can be hard to find. By using real food prices and actual eating patterns from Mexican surveys, the results are more relevant to Mexican families than studies from other countries.

This study has several strengths: it used actual Mexican food price data and eating patterns rather than guessing, it compared multiple diet options, and it measured both costs and environmental impacts together. However, the study is based on computer models, not real people eating these diets, so actual results might differ. The researchers also had to use some international data for environmental impacts since complete Mexican data wasn’t available for all foods. The study didn’t account for how difficult it might be for people to actually change their eating habits.

What the Results Show

All seven healthy diet options were cheaper than the current Mexican diet. Vegetarian diets saved the most money—about 27% less expensive. The EAT-Lancet diet and traditional Milpa diet saved about 20% each. Even when researchers adjusted the current diet to have the same calories as the healthier options, the healthy diets were still 6-21% cheaper.

For environmental impact, the results were even more impressive. Healthy diets used 24-53% less land than current diets, with vegan diets having the smallest footprint. Plant-based diets produced 63-81% fewer greenhouse gases. They also reduced biodiversity loss (damage to wildlife) by about 98%.

Water use was more complicated. The traditional Milpa diet used 18% less water, but vegan and the official Mexican guidelines actually used more water—about 9-20% more. This happened because some plant foods require more water to grow than the animal products they replace.

Most healthy diet options provided adequate amounts of all essential nutrients. However, vegetarian and vegan diets didn’t have enough vitamin B12 (a nutrient mainly found in animal products), and all diet options fell short on vitamin D (which comes from sunlight exposure and certain foods).

The research showed that plant-based diets had the most dramatic environmental benefits, particularly for reducing greenhouse gases and protecting wildlife. The traditional Milpa diet—based on indigenous Mexican foods—performed well on cost and water use while maintaining good nutrition. The official Mexican healthy eating guidelines were affordable and nutritious but required more water than current diets. The study found that cost savings increased when people ate less meat and more beans, grains, and vegetables.

Previous research in other countries suggested that healthy diets might be more expensive, but this Mexican study found the opposite—healthier eating actually costs less. This aligns with recent global research showing that plant-based diets are typically cheaper than meat-heavy diets. However, this is one of the first studies to examine this question specifically in Mexico using Mexican food prices and eating patterns, making it more relevant to Mexican families than international studies.

This study modeled theoretical diets rather than studying real people eating these foods, so actual results might differ based on individual preferences and habits. The research assumed people could easily access all the foods in these diet baskets, which may not be true in all parts of Mexico. Some environmental data came from international sources rather than Mexican-specific measurements. The study didn’t measure how satisfied people would feel eating these diets or how practical it would be to switch. It also didn’t account for cultural food preferences or the time required to prepare meals.

The Bottom Line

If you eat a typical Mexican diet, consider gradually increasing beans, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing meat consumption. This change appears likely to save money while improving your health and reducing environmental impact. If you choose a vegetarian or vegan diet, take a vitamin B12 supplement and consider vitamin D supplementation or increased sun exposure. Confidence level: Moderate to High for cost and environmental benefits; Moderate for health outcomes since this study focused on nutrient content rather than actual health results.

This research is most relevant to Mexican families and others eating similar diets. It’s particularly useful for policymakers, nutritionists, and public health officials planning dietary guidelines. Anyone interested in eating more sustainably while saving money should find this helpful. People with specific nutrient deficiencies or medical conditions should consult a healthcare provider before making major dietary changes.

Cost savings at the grocery store could happen immediately if you switch diets. Environmental benefits accumulate over time as more people adopt these eating patterns. Health benefits from dietary changes typically appear within weeks to months, though some benefits (like reduced disease risk) take years to develop.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly grocery spending and compare it to your baseline. Set a goal to reduce meat purchases by 20-30% monthly while increasing bean and vegetable purchases. Monitor whether your total food costs decrease.
  • Use the app to plan one plant-based meal per day, starting with familiar Mexican dishes like bean-based soups, vegetable tacos, or rice and bean combinations. Log these meals and track how much money you save compared to meat-based alternatives.
  • Create a monthly dashboard showing: (1) total food spending, (2) servings of plant-based foods consumed, (3) servings of meat consumed, and (4) estimated environmental impact reduction. Set reminders to take B12 and vitamin D supplements if following vegetarian or vegan options.

This study is based on computer modeling of theoretical diets, not actual people eating these foods. Results may vary based on individual circumstances, food availability, and personal preferences. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have nutrient deficiencies, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. Vegetarian and vegan diets require careful planning to ensure adequate vitamin B12 and vitamin D intake. This research provides general guidance for population-level dietary recommendations and should not replace personalized medical advice.