With the growing population and increasing purchasing power, the sustainability of the food sector is questioned as environmental externalities derive from consumption, mainly the emission of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Academic literature has suggested strategies to efficiently manage food consumption, but one of the main implications is to reduce meat consumption. Such a reduction would mitigate climate change and other environmental externalities as well as reduce health-related problems. However, the livestock sector is also a relevant economic sector for the subsistence of any economy. Therefore, this reduction could threaten economic growth. Following a sample of 14 European high-income countries over more than four decades, the impact of food consumption on economic growth is assessed. Results suggest that both meat and plant-based consumption contribute positively to economic growth. Consequently, a reduction in meat consumption could have a negative impact on the economy. However, strategies to both reduce meat consumption and promote economic growth are discussed in line with the results, with plant-based foods as an efficient option to solve the dilemma. Furthermore, specific strategies for both the supply and the demand side, education on food production and consumption are recommended, particularly in primary schools. Children could learn about healthy and sustainable dietary habits that would not hamper economic growth, as these should be the seeds of future consumption habits.

随着人口的增长和购买力的增加，食品部门的可持续性受到质疑，因为环境外部性来自消费，主要是温室气体的排放，而温室气体的排放是造成气候变化的原因。学术文献提出了有效管理食物消耗的策略，但主要含义之一是减少肉食。这种减少将减轻气候变化和其他环境外部因素，并减少与健康有关的问题。但是，畜牧业也是任何经济赖以生存的重要经济部门。因此，这种减少可能威胁经济增长。在过去四个多世纪的14个欧洲高收入国家抽样调查之后，评估了食品消费对经济增长的影响。结果表明，肉类和植物类食品的消费均对经济增长做出了积极贡献。因此，减少肉类消费可能对经济产生负面影响。然而，根据结果讨论了减少肉食消耗和促进经济增长的策略，其中以植物性食品为解决这一难题的有效选择。此外，建议为供需双方制定具体战略，就粮食生产和消费进行教育，特别是在小学。孩子们可以学习不会阻碍经济增长的健康和可持续的饮食习惯，因为这些习惯应该成为未来消费习惯的种子。减少肉类消费可能对经济产生负面影响。然而，根据结果讨论了减少肉食消耗和促进经济增长的策略，其中以植物性食品为解决这一难题的有效选择。此外，建议为供需双方制定具体战略，就粮食生产和消费进行教育，特别是在小学。孩子们可以学习不会阻碍经济增长的健康和可持续的饮食习惯，因为这些习惯应该成为未来消费习惯的种子。减少肉类消费可能对经济产生负面影响。然而，根据结果讨论了减少肉食消耗和促进经济增长的策略，其中以植物性食品为解决这一难题的有效选择。此外，建议为供需双方制定具体战略，就粮食生产和消费进行教育，特别是在小学。孩子们可以学习不会阻碍经济增长的健康和可持续的饮食习惯，因为这些习惯应该成为未来消费习惯的种子。针对供需双方的具体战略，建议对粮食生产和消费进行教育，特别是在小学。孩子们可以学习不会阻碍经济增长的健康和可持续的饮食习惯，因为这些习惯应该成为未来消费习惯的种子。针对供需双方的具体战略，建议对粮食生产和消费进行教育，特别是在小学。孩子们可以学习不会阻碍经济增长的健康和可持续的饮食习惯，因为这些习惯应该成为未来消费习惯的种子。