SHEAF

The project is divided into four studies run in parallel.

SHEAF 1

Quality of current dietary patterns in Denmark, China and Brazil

In SHEAF 1, we establish a framework by analysing how healthy and sustainable current dietary patterns are in the countries part of the project against their national dietary guidelines and the Planetary Health Diet.

SHEAF 2

Nutritional and environmental impacts of dairy analogues

SHEAF 2 seeks clarification on the nutritional and environmental impacts of the substitution of animal milk and dairy products for plant-based alternatives in the context of current diets. Moreover, it should consider different types of production (e.g., organic vs conventional), most commonly consumed products and current laws on the enrichment of vitamins and minerals that could improve the plant-based products' nutritional profile (when compared to dairy).

Specifically, current EU regulations do not allow the enrichment of organic products unless required by other legislation. Therefore, organic alternatives to dairy products might impose a higher risk of nutritional deficiencies if used to substitute their animal counterparts.

SHEAF 3

Social and personal drivers and barriers towards sustainable foods and dairy analogues explicitly

SHEAF 3 investigates how people’s social and cultural backgrounds influence their attitudes and perception towards sustainable foods and dairy analogues explicitly, in a cross-country comparison between regular and non-regular plant-based consumers in Copenhagen (DK), Beijing (CN) and Brasília (BR).

SHEAF 4

Pilot intervention study

SHEAF 4 proposes a dietary intervention with healthy Danish adults. The intervention consists of the participants substituting their habitual intake of milk, yoghurt and cheese for plant-based analogues for four weeks. The products are a mix of raw materials (oats, peas, soy and organic cashew nuts) and the alternatives to milk and yoghurt are enriched with micronutrients in amounts similar to dairy. Changes in diets and motivation to eat plant-based foods are investigated.

As part of SHEAF 3, a survey will be conducted in the capital regions of

• Denmark (Greater Copenhagen area)
• China (Greater Beijing area)
• Brazil (Greater Brasília/Federal District area).

The survey will investigate consumers’ attitudes towards and willingness to try plant-based dairy products. It will also explore consumers’ drivers and barriers for the consumption of these products as well as the pleasure related to consuming plant-based drinks.

Additionally, respondents are asked about their impressions on sustainable diets and the environmental impact of diets, as willingness to change their diet due to climate impact.

External partners

Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho – professor - Department of Nutrition – University of Brasília.

Renata Puppin Zandonadi – associate professor - Department of Nutrition – University of Brasília.