Food production is one of the most important factors that contributes to the deterioration and scarcity of natural resources. This study analyzes the environmental impact of four fad diets (omnivore, hyperproteic, vegetarian and vegan), through the Life Cycle Assessment methodology (LCA), with the help of the software SimaPro®, evaluating 11 environmental categories, specifically the extraction of raw materials and production. Gathering information during 1 month regarding food habits in 3 days (2 weekdays and 1 from the weekend) with the help of a 24-hour dietary recall method (24HR) and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) from 40 patients from the state of Nuevo León between 18-65 years old. Using the software Food Processor® for the nutritional evaluation, comparing the optimal food intake and the food intake of the patients. The results show that the hyperproteic diet has more quantitative impact in 4 of the 11 categories, toxicity carcinogen, toxicity non-carcinogen, global warming, and water consumption. Meanwhile the vegan diet is the responsible of the impact in 7 of 11 categories which are land use, terrestrial acidification, water eutrophication, ozone formation and human health, ozone formation and ecosystems, mineral resources, and the fossil resource scarcity, concluding that the vegan diet is the fad diet with more environmental impact. This information benefits us to find better food options.
| Date of Award | 30 Nov 2023 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | |
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| Supervisor | Joselina Huerta Oros (Supervisor) |
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- Vegetarian
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Omnivore
- Hyperproteic
- Vegan
- fad diets
- Environmental impact