We each choose our food every day. But did you know that these choices can affect not only your health, but also the health of the planet? A recent study from the University of Tokyo has made researchers think a little differently about the food we eat. Experts do not only deal with basic food groups – they study the carbon impact of meals and mixed diets as a whole.

Why focus on individual dishes?

How we relate to food is cultural. The ingredients available, the way the food is prepared, and the cultural significance of the dishes vary drastically from place to place.

Traditional Italian tomato-based pasta relies on different resources and has different environmental impacts compared to Japanese seafood-based pasta. (Sanjana Gajbhiye, more at www.earth.com)