Dietitian E-News: Sustainable Nutrition in Practice

Understanding the constraints on the global food system (climate change, land use and population) is a critical development area for nutrition professionals to promote diets that consider both human health and the health of our planet. The latter may at first seem a monumental topic to learn, but as your clients develop more interest in sustainability, it’s important for RDNs to keep up too.  There are many ways to consider this vast topic: social, economic, or environmental elements -- and it’s complicated. Read on for ways to boost your sustainability IQ, learn about the almond industry’s sustainable journey, virtually visit almond orchards to get a first-hand look at how almond growers care for their crop, and more.

Boost Your Sustainability IQ

You may have heard of different sustainability terms, but what do they really mean?

Environmental sustainability is defined in the Journal of Environmental Sustainability as “the condition of balance, resilience and interconnectedness that allows human society to satisfy its needs while neither exceeding the capacity of its supporting ecosystems to continue to regenerate the services necessary to meet those needs nor by our actions diminishing biological diversity.”

Agricultural sustainability is growing healthful foods in a manner that protects the land for future generations. 

Sustainable nutrition is about choosing foods that are healthful to our environment and our health. According to the 2019 EAT-Lancet commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems, a global shift toward more plant-based foods would help feed the world's growing population a nutritious and sustainable diet. 

Sustainable nutrition is reflected in changing food-based Dietary Guidelines around the world, where in fact, many countries’ national food strategies reflect sustainability as a component of a healthy diet.¹

Everyone is on a journey together to figure out what sustainable nutrition means. A food can’t just be judged on one element alone – for example, its water usage. One needs to consider it holistically and take into consideration other environmental factors, too, like land use, soil degradation, nutrient yield provided by a food, and much more. Read on to learn about the sustainable efforts and commitments from Almond Board.

RECIPE: Honey-Cinnamon "Graham" Almond Pulp Crackers

If you make your own almond milk at home, here’s a delicious way to minimize waste, using  the leftover almond pulp. These slightly sweet “graham” crackers are tender and fragrant with cinnamon. Don’t make your own almond milk? You can substitute store-bought almond meal for the leftover almond pulp instead. For more delicious recipes, visit our Recipe Center.  

ALMONDS AS A CASE STUDY TO UNDERSTAND SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION

At the Almond Board, sustainable almond farming utilizes production practices that are economically viable and are based upon scientific research, common sense and a respect for the environment, their neighbors, and employees. The result is a plentiful, nutritious, delicious and safe food product.

Background of Almond Board Sustainability Efforts

Almond farming is a family affair fueled by a passion for growing a healthy food. Of California’s 7,600 almond farms, 90 percent are run as family farms, many owned by third-and fourth-generation famers who live on the land and plan to pass it down to their children. This means we understand the need to farm responsibly, managing resources carefully for future generations.

California is one of five places on Earth with the Mediterranean climate needed to grow almonds. It is also the most efficient place to grow almonds on the planet - home to rich soils, natural resources and infrastructure, and innovative research and technology.

For close to 50 years, California almond farmers have invested millions of dollars in research to help them grow almonds in better, safer and healthier ways. With targets across zero waste, water efficiency, pest management and air quality, the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals continue the work of improving almond farming for the future of agriculture and a healthier planet.

Core Areas of Sustainable Almond Agriculture

Water

While almond trees use around the same amount of water as other fruit and nut trees in California,  plants require more energy, and thus water, to grow proteins and fats than carbohydrates and sugars. Although almonds need more water than most fruits and vegetables, they are also rich in essential nutrients, good fats and protein.

Where we are going: With a commitment to water efficiency and decades of research and innovation, California almond farmers reduced the water needed to grow each almond by 33 percent between the 1990s and 2010s and are committed to an additional 20 percent by 2025.

Pollinators

Bees and almonds are a partnership designed by nature. Just like almonds are a nutritious snack for us, almond pollen is very nutritious for bees and, as a result, they consistently leave California almond orchards stronger than when they arrived. The California almond industry has been leading pollinator health research efforts since 1995, so farmers can confidently provide safe and welcoming habitats on their farms.² California almond orchards provide bees with their first nutritious food source of the year, providing all ten of the amino acids their diet requires.³

Where we are going: The California almond industry has been leading pollinator health research efforts since 1995, so farmers can confidently provide safe and welcoming habitats on their farms.

Climate Smart 

California almond farmers are committed to achieving zero waste in orchards by putting everything they grow to optimal use. The nutritious almonds we eat grow in a shell, protected by a hull. The hulls become livestock feed, offsetting the need to grow other crops, and the shells are used as livestock bedding. As for both the shells and hulls, they can be used to cultivate mushrooms, strengthen post-consumer recycled plastics, and even brew beer.

Learn more here in our Almond Orchard 2025 Goals.

Where we are going: With further production improvements and policy changes, the California almond industry could eventually be carbon neutral or even carbon negative.

Nutritional Content

Since 1995, almond growers and handlers have supported sound science to understand the health effects of almonds on heart disease, diabetes, and weight management. With nearly 190 published papers to date, and studies in progress, almonds are one of the most researched foods in the world.

A one ounce portion of almonds provides 160 calories, 6 grams of plant protein, 4 grams of filling fiber, 20% of daily magnesium and 50% of daily vitamin E needs.

Where we are going: We are dedicated to nutrition science research to understand how almonds fit into planet-forward dietary guidelines and improve diet quality as a key means to improve overall health status.

Helpful Resources

2021 Almond Board Virtual Orchard Tour

Power of Plant-Based Meals