Earth Overshoot Day 2023 - How can our food help?

Today's Earth Overshoot Day in Austria reminds us - as it does every year - that we are using up our natural resources faster than they can regenerate. The way we eat also has a significant impact on the planet. A sustainable diet can not only promote our health but also helps to conserve the earth's resources.

Here are some tips on how a healthy and sustainable diet can benefit both the environment and our health:

1. choose foods with a low carbon footprint:

Animal products such as meat and dairy have a high carbon footprint and can have a negative impact on our health, especially if we consume too much of them. Plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains have a lower carbon footprint and are rich in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals.

2. avoid food waste:

Food waste can have a negative impact on the environment and put a strain on our budget. By using leftovers and storing food properly, we can reduce waste and save money. Eating a variety of foods can also help maintain a balanced diet that provides us with the nutrients our bodies need.

3. buy local and seasonal food:

Local and seasonal foods often have a higher nutritional content than imported foods and can help reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals. In addition, this also supports the local economy.

4. choose organic and fair trade products:

Organic and Fairtrade products can be free of harmful chemicals and reduce the use of pesticides. Fairtrade products also ensure that the workers who grow this food are paid fairly. Thus, a balanced diet of organic and Fairtrade products can help provide the body with important nutrients while helping to pay workers fairly.

It is important to note that it is not necessary to radically change lifestyle overnight to live more sustainably. Even small steps toward a sustainable diet can help protect the planet and our health. By focusing on consuming plant-based foods, reducing food waste, and favoring local, seasonal, and organic products, we can do our part.

The point is not to be perfect, but to try to move step by step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. By focusing on the benefits to our health and the planet, we can stay motivated and also inspire others to make sustainable changes.

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FAQs

The term “weight-loss injection” refers to various
prescription medications that are used under certain
medical conditions to treat overweight and obesity
. Well-known active ingredients include semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Among other things, they influence hunger and feelings of fullness and can thereby
reduce energy intake.

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 and is a naturally occurring hormone in the body
. Among other things, it plays a role in regulating
appetite, satiety, and glucose metabolism. GLP-1-based medications mimic
the effects of this hormone and specifically activate the GLP-1 receptor.

The term “GLP-1 dietary supplement” is not medically defined at
. It generally refers to products marketed as “GLP-1 Support”
or “GLP-1 Booster,” which may contain, for example, dietary fiber,
protein, prebiotics, or plant compounds such as berberine.

What matters most here is the specific ingredient and its scientifically studied effects (
)—not just the name of the product (
).

Dietary supplements and GLP-1 medications
have different mechanisms of action. Medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide
specifically target certain hormonal signaling pathways. Certain nutrients
and plant compounds, on the other hand, can support other physiological processes,
such as satiety, digestion, or metabolism.

They should therefore not be equated with the pharmacological effects
of GLP-1 medications.

Of particular interest are ingredients associated with satiety,
digestion, or the gut microbiota. These include , for example ,
soluble and fermentable dietary fibers, prebiotics, and
certain plant compounds.

Among other things, dietary fiber can influence digestion
and, through fermentation in the gut, contribute to the formation of short-chain
fatty acids. These, in turn, can influence signaling pathways associated with
the release of gut hormones such as GLP-1.

However, the effect depends heavily on the specific ingredient,
the dosage, and the individual's situation.

Dietary fiber can contribute to a balanced diet
and, among other things, promote satiety and aid digestion.
Soluble and fermentable dietary fibers are particularly noteworthy in this context
.

Good natural sources include vegetables,
legumes, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Certain
dietary fibers, such as psyllium or inulin, are also used as dietary supplements.

Protein provides important amino acids for the maintenance and
growth of muscle tissue. An adequate protein intake is therefore particularly important
during significant weight loss.

When combined with regular strength training,
a high-protein diet can help preserve lean body mass as much as possible during
weight loss.

In general, there is no comprehensive list of
foods that are strictly prohibited during GLP-1 therapy.
However, appetite, feelings of fullness, and, in some cases,
tolerance to certain foods may change.

When people eat less overall, the nutritional quality of their diet
 becomes more important. Protein-rich foods, vegetables, fruits,
whole grains, legumes, and other nutrient-dense foods can
serve as an important foundation.

Studies show that weight regain can occur after discontinuing GLP-1-based
medications. In the extension
of the STEP-1 study, participants regained, on average, a significant portion of the weight they had previously
lost within one year of
discontinuing semaglutide.

This underscores the importance of long-term, sustainable
dietary and physical activity habits, even during medication-based
therapy.

GLP-1 therapy does not require a specific diet
. However, since feelings of hunger and fullness change and
people sometimes eat less, it may be helpful to focus
particularly on nutrient density, protein, fiber, and a
varied selection of foods.

Regular exercise, especially strength training, can also be a useful addition to
.

No. GLP-1 dietary supplements and
GLP-1 medications must always be distinguished from one another.

Drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide were specifically developed
to activate certain hormonal signaling pathways and have been studied as medications in
clinical trials. Dietary supplements
, on the other hand, contain nutrients or other bioactive substances that can support natural
physiological processes.

The term “GLP-1” on a dietary supplement
therefore does not mean that the product has the same effect as a GLP-1 medication
.