The transformation of global food systems has become an urgent necessity as they face the interlinked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The prevailing food consumption and production patterns are ecologically unsustainable, largely due to agriculture's vast land use and significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater consumption. Livestock, in particular, consumes a disproportionate amount of resources relative to its nutritional output, while ultra-processed foods exacerbate dietary health issues worldwide. Furthermore, significant inefficiencies, such as food wastage and the limited diversity of staple crops, necessitate a strategic rethink of how food systems operate to minimize environmental impact and improve health outcomes.

This Research Topic aims to showcase the breakthrough contributions of emerging talents who are key drivers in advancing nutrition and sustainable diets. Central to this aim are efforts by early-career researchers and innovators in fields like nutritional science, public health, agroecology, and climate research. By modelling sustainable dietary transitions, mitigating food waste, promoting diverse and culturally sensitive diets, and integrating Indigenous knowledge, these professionals are pivotal to developing actionable solutions. Their work catalyses a shift toward implementing sustainable nutrition paradigms that not only improve health but also align with ecological priorities.

To gather further insights within these boundaries, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Health effects of sustainable versus unsustainable diets

- Emerging motivational factors in sustainable dietary preferences

- Modelling sustainable diets and their environmental impacts

- Resilient agrosystems and innovative farming practices

- Novel sustainable food sources like insect- and seaweed-based diets

- Youth-led movements for food systems transformation

- Alternative proteins and agroecological production innovations

- Community and Indigenous food systems approaches

- Equity and accessibility in sustainable diet practices

- Food waste and loss reduction methodologies

- Policy-makers' engagement and science-to-action initiatives

By focusing on early-career professionals, particularly from underrepresented regions and disciplines, this Research Topic aspires to hasten the adoption of robust, inclusive, and environmentally responsible food systems for human and planetary well-being.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Pioneering Sustainable Nutrition: Emerging Voices Transforming Global Food Systems