Can micronutrient requirements be met by diets from sustainable sources: outcomes of dietary modelling studies using diet optimization

Abstract

Background Consumption of diets from sustainable sources is required for planetary health, however, large sections of the population, including females of reproductive age and children, will be at risk of not meeting their micronutrient (MN) requirements in a complete transition to plant-based foods. Constrained diet optimization methods use mathematical programming to construct diets that meet predefined parameters and may contribute towards modelling dietary solutions that meet nutritional and planetary targets.Objective Review the evidence from diet optimization studies proposing solutions to ensure MN availability in the context of a transition to diets from sustainable sources.Approach Narrative review focusing on literature published over the last five years.Results Dietary modelling using diet optimization can design a range of omnivorous and plant-based diets that meet individual MN requirements, have reduced environmental impacts, and minimize deviation from culturally acceptable dietary practices. Using data from large-scale dietary surveys, diet optimization can support development of food-based dietary guidelines; identify limiting MNs in a particular context or a conflict between constraints e.g. nutrition and environment; explore food-based strategies to increase nutrient supply, such as fortification; and support trial design. Methods used and outcomes reported are sources of variability. Individual-level dietary data and MN requirements for population sub-groups such as females of reproductive age and children are important requirements. Although maintaining iron and zinc intakes are regularly reported to present challenges in diets from sustainable sources, few studies have considered bioavailability, which reduces with increased dietary phytate. These and other data gaps including acceptability and affordability must be addressed to improve the applicability of modelling outcomes in population recommendations.Conclusions Dietary modelling using diet optimization can be useful in the design of more sustainable diets that meet MN requirements, however, translation of outcomes into dietary intervention studies is required to test real-world application and adoption into dietary guidelines.

Keywords

• Sustainable diets
• plant-based diets
• nutrition
• micronutrients
• bioavailability
• diet optimization