Replacing meat and dairy with plant-based alternatives in the Netherlands: trade-offs in environmental impacts and critical nutrient intake
Zhu, Yinjie Politiek, Afke CL de Vet, Emely Ocké, Marga C
Zhu, Yinjie
Politiek, Afke CL
de Vet, Emely
Ocké, Marga C
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Journal Article
Article
Article
Language
en
Date of publication
2026-02-16
Year of publication
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Replacing meat and dairy with plant-based alternatives in the Netherlands: trade-offs in environmental impacts and critical nutrient intake
Translated Title
Published in
Eur J Nutr 2026; 65(2):62
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Plant-based protein sources are promoted as more sustainable alternatives to animal-based protein sources. The Dutch policy aims for 50% of dietary protein to come from plants, yet comprehensive evidence on the environmental and nutritional impacts of this transition is limited. We examined these impacts in the Dutch diet.
METHODS: Dietary intake data from Dutch adults (18–65 years) in the 2019–2021 National Food Consumption Survey served as the reference diet, derived separately for men (n = 585) and women (n = 600). Four replacement scenarios—“no meat and dairy”, “no meat”, “half meat”, and “no red meat”—were modeled by partially or completely substituting meat and/or dairy with plant-based alternatives, using weight- and energy-based replacements. Environmental impacts (greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), land use, water footprint) and 13 macro- and micro-nutrients status were assessed.
RESULTS: Replacement scenarios reduced GHG (11.3–39.3%) and land use (7.6–17.9%) but increased water footprint (3.6–60.2%). The 'half meat' scenario met the Dutch 50% plant-based protein target for both sexes while largely preserving nutrient intakes and adequacy, with only a slight increase in vitamin B6 inadequacy in women. All other scenarios had a more negative nutritional impact; for example, the “no meat” and “no red meat” scenarios increased the risk of vitamin B12 and B6 inadequacy and reduced total protein and saturated fat intake. Weight- and energy-based replacements yielded similar results.
CONCLUSIONS: Replacing animal-based protein sources with plant-based alternatives reduces environmental impact, except for the water footprint. A 50% meat substitution while maintaining dairy intake generally preserves population-level nutrient adequacy.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00394-026-03908-w.