A UK public health perspective: what is a healthy sustainable diet?

The main constituents of a healthy diet are generally accepted but which dietary patterns are both healthy and sustainable? This is proving a complex question to answer given the many challenges that face the global food system, particularly the need to produce more food with fewer resources to feed the world's growing population. It is likely that change to the current UK diet could help ease the pressure on the global food system but it is important that this is balanced with the physiological requirement of nutrients for health. Therefore, the challenge ahead is to identify dietary patterns that provide us with the many nutrients we need for health, in appropriate amounts, that are also equitable, affordable and sustainable. This paper explores the challenges for the global food system and public health in providing a healthy diet for the expanding population, how UK diets may need to change to ensure they are both healthy and sustainable, and the challenges of changing people's diets. Although the issues are complex, it is essential that action is taken now to ensure a sustainable and healthy global food supply for future generations.