THE IRISH diet is too reliant on alcohol and animal protein, according to two new studiesTrinity College Dublins School of Natural Sciences.
Researchers are calling for major changes to the way we eat amid concerns over a dependence on animal protein and overspending on alcohol.
According toTrinity College Dublins School of Natural Sciences the typical Irish diet is hindering Irelands ability to address issues like global warming and nitrogen pollution.
This is due to the quantities offarmed products like fish, pork and lamb still being consumed by a large proportion of the population.
Many also remain heavily dependenton dairy and animal fats along with cereal, which all fuel the agriculture sector an industry accounting for 26 percent of all global warming.
There are also concerns over the alarming amount of alcohol consumption seen on average according to the research.
The Trinity College study found alcohol accounts for 7%of daily calorie intake on average but 25% of our daily nutritional cost.
Its this over-reliance that is leading to an increase in serious health concerns like obesity, diabetes, colon cancer and heart disease.
Researchers are calling for more people to adopt a Mediterranean-style diet comprising of more fruit, vegetables, whole grains and seafood.
Doing so would potentially reduce Irelands diet-associated Global Warming Potential by up to 57%.
Mike Williams, assistant professor in botany inTrinitys School of Natural Sciences and lead author on the study said: Global diets have become more westernised, less healthy and more damaging to the environment.
Effective change can be achieved only through education. Our research hopefully adds to the considerable database on sustainable foods, sustainable diets and informed dietary choice but from an Irish perspective, he added.
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Scientists say the Irish diet is too dependent on meat, fish, dairy, eggs and alcohol - Irish Post
