Researchers studied what people in 11 European countries actually eat compared to a diet that’s supposed to be good for both human health and the environment, called the Planetary Health Diet. They used three different scoring systems to measure how well people follow this diet. The study found that most Europeans aren’t following this healthy, eco-friendly eating pattern very well. However, people in Southern Europe like Italy, Greece, and Spain do better at it, especially women. The research also discovered that one of the scoring systems (called WISH 2.0) was better at understanding real eating patterns across different countries. This suggests that one-size-fits-all diet advice might not work everywhere, and countries may need to adapt healthy eating guidelines to fit their own food cultures.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How well people in 11 European countries follow a diet designed to be healthy for humans and good for the environment (called the Planetary Health Diet)
  • Who participated: The study analyzed food consumption data from people across 11 European countries, looking at differences between men and women and between different regions
  • Key finding: Most Europeans don’t follow the planet-friendly diet very well, but Southern European countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain do better, especially among women. A new measurement tool called WISH 2.0 was better at understanding actual eating patterns across different countries
  • What it means for you: If you live in Europe, you might want to eat more plant-based foods and less processed meat to help both your health and the environment. However, healthy eating advice might work better when it’s tailored to your country’s food traditions rather than using one global standard for everyone

The Research Details

This study looked at food consumption data that was already collected from people across 11 European countries. Instead of asking people what they eat, the researchers used existing databases that track what Europeans actually purchase and consume. They then used three different scoring systems to measure how closely people’s actual eating patterns matched the Planetary Health Diet—a diet designed by health and environmental experts to be good for both human bodies and the planet. The three scoring systems were: the EAT-Lancet index (an existing tool), the original WISH index, and a new improved version called WISH 2.0 that includes additional categories like processed meat and alcoholic beverages. The researchers calculated scores for each country and gender group, then compared them to see which countries and groups followed the planet-friendly diet best.

Using real food consumption data instead of just asking people what they eat gives a more accurate picture of actual eating habits. Testing multiple scoring systems helps researchers understand which measurement tool works best for understanding real-world eating patterns. This matters because if we want to help people eat healthier and more sustainably, we need to understand what they’re actually eating now and how far they are from the recommended diet. The study’s focus on regional differences is important because it shows that diet advice needs to consider local food cultures and traditions to actually work.

This study has several strengths: it used actual food consumption data from a reliable European database rather than relying on people’s memories, it examined 11 different countries which gives a broad European perspective, and it tested multiple measurement tools to see which works best. However, the study doesn’t tell us why people eat the way they do—just what they eat. The research also doesn’t include information about individual people’s health outcomes, so we can’t directly prove that following the Planetary Health Diet would make people healthier. The study is descriptive, meaning it describes patterns rather than testing whether changing diets actually improves health.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that adherence to the Planetary Health Diet is low across all 11 European countries studied. This means most Europeans are not eating according to the recommendations that combine human health with environmental sustainability. However, the picture isn’t completely uniform. Southern European countries—specifically Italy, Greece, and Spain—showed noticeably better adherence to the planet-friendly diet compared to other European regions. Within these countries, women tended to follow the diet more closely than men. The study also found that the new WISH 2.0 scoring system was better at identifying these regional and gender differences in eating patterns. This suggests that the way we measure diet quality matters—different tools can give different pictures of how well people are eating.

The research revealed important regional patterns in European eating habits. When researchers grouped countries by their dietary patterns, they found that geography and gender both influence what people eat. The EAT-Lancet index (an older measurement tool) gave higher overall scores than WISH 2.0, suggesting it might not be as strict or accurate at measuring real eating patterns. WISH 2.0’s inclusion of processed meat and alcoholic beverages as separate categories proved valuable because these foods have both health and environmental impacts that matter for the planet-friendly diet. The study demonstrates that different European regions have distinct food cultures that affect how easily they can adopt the recommended diet.

This research builds on previous work about the Planetary Health Diet by actually measuring how well real Europeans follow it, rather than just describing what the diet should be. Previous studies have suggested that the Planetary Health Diet is good for both human health and the environment, but this is one of the first studies to systematically measure adherence across multiple European countries. The finding that Southern European countries do better aligns with previous research suggesting that Mediterranean-style diets (common in Southern Europe) are already quite close to the Planetary Health Diet. The study’s emphasis on the importance of local food cultures supports growing evidence that one-size-fits-all dietary guidelines may not work as well as guidelines adapted to regional preferences and traditions.

The study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, it only looks at what people eat, not why they eat that way or what health benefits they actually experience. Second, the data comes from food consumption databases, which may not capture everything people eat or may have gaps in certain countries. Third, the study doesn’t include information about individual people—it only looks at average patterns by country and gender, so we can’t know if the findings apply to specific individuals. Fourth, the research doesn’t test whether actually following the Planetary Health Diet would improve people’s health or reduce environmental impact—it only measures how far current eating patterns are from the recommended diet. Finally, the study doesn’t explore barriers to following the diet, such as cost, availability, cultural preferences, or cooking skills, which are important for understanding how to actually help people eat better.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based suggestions: (1) If you live in Europe, consider eating more plant-based foods and fewer processed meats, which aligns with both health and environmental benefits—this is a moderate-confidence recommendation supported by the Planetary Health Diet research. (2) If you’re developing dietary guidelines for your country, consider adapting them to fit local food traditions and preferences rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach—this is supported by the study’s findings about regional differences. (3) Women may find it easier to adopt the planet-friendly diet based on current patterns, but men shouldn’t be discouraged—this is an observation rather than a strong recommendation. (4) If you’re trying to measure how well a population follows healthy eating guidelines, use comprehensive tools like WISH 2.0 that account for multiple food categories—this is a practical recommendation for researchers and policymakers.

This research matters for: (1) European policymakers and health officials who want to improve population nutrition and reduce environmental impact; (2) People interested in eating more sustainably and healthily; (3) Nutritionists and dietitians who work with European clients; (4) Researchers studying diet quality and environmental sustainability. This research is less directly relevant for: (1) People outside Europe, though the methods could apply elsewhere; (2) People looking for personalized diet advice (this study looks at population patterns, not individual needs); (3) People seeking immediate health solutions (this is about long-term dietary patterns).

If you decide to move your eating patterns closer to the Planetary Health Diet, realistic timelines are: (1) You might notice increased energy and better digestion within 2-4 weeks; (2) Weight changes (if relevant) typically appear within 4-8 weeks; (3) Long-term health benefits like improved heart health and reduced disease risk develop over months to years; (4) Environmental impact from your food choices happens immediately, though the broader effects depend on many people making similar changes. Remember that changing eating habits takes time—most people need 2-3 months to establish new patterns, so be patient with yourself.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your weekly consumption of plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts) versus animal products and processed foods. Set a goal like ’eat plant-based meals 4 days per week’ and log which meals meet this target. This directly measures adherence to the Planetary Health Diet approach.
  • Start with one practical change: designate two days per week as ‘plant-forward’ days where you build meals around vegetables, legumes, and whole grains instead of meat. Use the app to plan these meals in advance and track which plant-based recipes you enjoy. Once this becomes routine (usually 3-4 weeks), add a second plant-forward day.
  • Use the app to track a simple score: count how many days per week you follow plant-based eating patterns. Aim to gradually increase from your current baseline. Review your patterns monthly to see if you’re moving toward the Planetary Health Diet recommendations. Also note which plant-based foods you enjoy most—this helps you stick with changes long-term by building on preferences rather than forcing yourself to eat foods you dislike.

This research describes current eating patterns in Europe and how they compare to a recommended planet-friendly diet. It does not prove that following the Planetary Health Diet will improve your individual health or that it’s the right diet for you personally. Before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have health conditions, take medications, or have dietary restrictions, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. This study measures population-level patterns and may not apply to your specific situation. The findings are based on food consumption data and don’t account for individual nutritional needs, allergies, cultural preferences, or medical requirements. Always seek personalized nutrition advice from qualified healthcare professionals.