Plant-rich diets: Healthier for people and the planet

There are strong links between the rise in unhealthy diets and non-communicable diseases, which are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the community and have a strong impact on the health system. The current food system encourages poor food choices and fails to help many people follow the principles set out in the Australian Dietary Guidelines. There is also good evidence that healthier diets are likely to be more environmentally sustainable than the typical Australian diet.

New diets are constantly appearing, and it can be a confusing area for doctors and patients to make sense of their benefit. This paper aims to provide evidence that GPs can use to support healthier diets for their patients.

General practitioners can provide education and motivation for patients to change their dietary patterns. This will involve choosing more healthy plant foods, with fewer highly processed products and less red meat, as currently recommended in the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Such dietary choices provide proven co-benefits for health and the environment.