Gender and Sustainable Diets: Do Women and Men Consume Differently?

The growing concerns of climate change is pushing boundaries in every aspect of our lives to explore new ways to protect the environment. In this fight, gender and sustainable diets have become a frontline issue. Eco-friendly eating habits and dietary gender differences is gaining attention in order to adopt sustainable practices. 

In this article, you will find the intersection between gender and sustainable diets. You will learn how societal roles, cultural expectations, and even marketing shape food decisions differently for men and women.

Understanding Sustainable Diets: What Makes a Diet “Sustainable”?

1. Define Sustainable Diets 

For the majority of people, the term sustainable diet is something new and unheard of; hence, the meaning is also unclear to many. In simple words, sustainable diets are diets that have a minimal impact on our environment. 

In addition to minimum impact on the environment, it promotes food and nutrition security and supports a sustainable lifestyle. Such diets protect our ecosystem (environment), provide nutrition to our body (health), are affordable and accessible (economy), and respect our tradition and identity (culture).

These are the four fundamentals that make a diet sustainable. One important thing to remember is that a sustainable diet isn’t about one-size-fits-all. But it varies according to different groups and regions. 

2. The Components of a Sustainable Diet

Plant-based diets are suggested to improve overall health and reduce the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, and increase the life expectancy. Despite health benefits, plant-based food can be produced with fewer resources(land & water), and the greenhouse gas emissions are also less as compared to animal-based foods.

Local sourcing is another important component of a sustainable diet. It means buying locally grown and produced food items. Local sourcing not only helps in reducing greenhouse gases related to transportation, but it also helps with offering fresh and healthy food items.

The third and last component of sustainable diets is reducing meat consumption. Eating less meat can improve health outcomes. Moreover, less demand for animal products lessens greenhouse gas emissions and lowers the environmental impact on our ecosystem.

3. UN and FAO Perspectives on Sustainability in Food Systems

The UN and FAO both are loud and clear in the need for sustainable diets and their importance to meet global climate goals. Sustainable food items emphasize the need for economically fair, socially adoptable, and environmentally friendly food.

Such food items ensure food security and nutrition. They help to preserve the diversity of cultural food while pushing for global action. It’s not about ditching the food identity but about making it work smarter.

4. The Link Between Climate Change and Sustainable Diets

The shift in climate change through droughts, floods, and soil degradation is already destroying our food systems. In addition to that, our way of food consumption is playing a huge role in environmental degradation.

The current food production contributes around 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, shifting towards a sustainable diet is one of the easiest and most personal ways to fight back.

Gender and Food Choices: What Does the Research Say?

1. Gendered Dietary Behaviors

Different studies [1][2][3] show a clear difference in the way men and women consume food. The food choices and eating frequency are different for both genders. Women are more likely to eat plant-based diets, while men lean into meat-based food items. 

Studies suggest that, generally women are more concerned about buying healthier and sustainable food. They consider animal welfare, climate change, and personal health and pay more attention to ethical and environmental issues.

On the other hand, men often prefer meat and avoid vegetarian food items. This is because in men’s diet, a protein-based diet is seen as king. Men’s food choices are related to strength, performance, and energy, which are considered male traits. 

2. Psychological and Cultural Drivers Behind Food Choices

The patterns of food consumption show a gender gap in the eating habits of women and men. The choice of food items is associated with social norms and identity. 

There is a perception that links masculinity with meat, and eating plant-based diets such as tofu is considered less masculine. Even corporations market their products in such a way that associate eating meat items as manly and plant-based items as fragile and weak.

Social and Cultural Factors Influencing Gendered Eating Habits

1. Gender Roles in Food Preparation and Consumption

Historically, women have remained responsible for preparing food, while men are the consumers. This trend can be observed in daily routines and even in big gatherings or family dinners. 

In many cultures, women are the cooks, but men get the first plate. These patterns not only set gender roles, i.e., who is responsible for cooking, but they decide what each gender is “supposed” to eat.

For instance, women are expected to eat lighter plant-based food items, whereas meaty dishes are usually consumed by men. These expectations are based on old-school gender norms.

2. Media, Marketing, and Peer Perception on Gendered Diets

Media and marketing have influenced our eating habits. This influence is so woven into our daily lives that we don’t even notice it. From TV commercials to billboards, food packings to social-media threads, most of the things we see and hear influence our thoughts and guide us what to eat.

Women’s brands focus on tactics of remaining slim, eating salads, and drinking detox teas. Similarly, for men, the marketing strategy revolves around protein shakes, meaty food and burgers, and “grainz”.

The media presents food to us to believe that food choices = gender identity.

In addition to that, peer pressure is another important aspect in our lives that shapes our thoughts and eating habits. A man ordering a veggie wrap might face some raised eyebrows, and a woman eating a meaty dish might get some laughs from her friends. 

3. Regional and Cultural Variations in Gendered Food Norms

Food patterns for women and men are not similar across the globe. For instance, in some parts of South Asia, it’s normal for men to choose plant-based foods. However, this approach can be seen as unmanly in parts of Western cultures.

The food choices tell us how culture shapes what we eat and how we judge others for what they eat. So, gendered eating habits aren’t universal—they’re contextual.

Environmental Impact of Gender-Based Consumption Patterns

1. Carbon Footprint of Male vs. Female Diets

Animal-based food items have more emissions than plant-based food items. And men’s diets typically have a higher carbon footprint than women’s diets. This difference is not small. 

According to a 2021 study, “the diets of men are associated with 41% higher GHG emissions than women”, leading to higher carbon footprints. The increase in emissions is largely due to higher meat and dairy intake by men. On the other hand, women lean towards fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains. 

2. Women’s Contribution to Eco-Friendly Food Consumption

Globally, women’s food choices lead towards sustainable eating. Women are more likely to buy organic, avoid processed foods, and consider environmental impacts when shopping. 

Women are also more involved in movements that support the eco-system by choosing climate-friendly diets. 

3. Dietary Change Can Reduce Global Emissions

Global emissions can be significantly reduced if both men and women adopt more balanced, sustainable diets. Global food-related emissions can be dropped by up to 50% by cutting down on red meat, supporting local farms, and reducing food waste. 

In addition to this dietary change, gender-inclusive strategies are important because solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. More importantly, change doesn’t rest on one group’s shoulders until everyone is apart. 

Bridging the Gap: How to Make Sustainable Diets Gender-Inclusive

1. Policy Recommendations and Public Health Messaging

Policy recommendations and public health campaigns should address the difference in men’s and women’s diets. How men’s high meat consumption increases emissions or women’s higher risk of nutrient deficiencies on restrictive diets. 

Considering the differences, policies should be developed to emphasize sustainability as a shared goal and inclusive language. Moreover, governments can offer incentives for plant-based choices and regulate misleading gendered marketing. 

2. Educational Programs Addressing Gender Biases in Food Choices

Our dietary habits are influenced by social and gender norms. It includes schools, universities, and even workplace wellness programs. Therefore, our educational programs can teach us how masculinity is not tied to meat or how diet culture unfairly targets women. 

From a young age, children can learn how media sells food with hidden messages and not following them is totally fine. Teaching youngsters to question, not just to consume, should be the priority of our educational institutes.

3. Influencers, Chefs, and Brands in Reshaping Narratives

In today’s age of social media, food bloggers, celebrity chefs, and the social media celebrities hold serious power in how we perceive diets. These perceptions can be changed if a famous male athlete endorses a vegan diet—or a female chef celebrates hearty, protein-rich plant meals.

These celebrities can endorse plant-based food recipes and brands that produce plant-based items. Brands like Impossible Foods and Heura are already doing this, creating products without gendered branding and pushing sustainability. 

4. Promoting Inclusive Sustainable Food Systems

At the grassroots level, community kitchens, urban gardens, and co-ops are doing the real work. These spaces often welcome diverse voices and promote sustainability without the gender baggage. 

For instance, in Nairobi, a women’s farming collective is teaching young men about plant-based nutrition. Such locally-driven change is where transformation starts.

Concluding Remarks

Gender and sustainable diets is not just a myth but a reality that many are not aware of. Through this article, you have learned how gender influences our thoughts, eating patterns, and how we interact with our environment.

By understanding the nuanced ways in which men and women approach sustainable diets, policymakers and marketing strategists can create more inclusive strategies to combat climate change, promote health, and support equity. By spreading the word and bridging the gap, everyone can play their role in making eco-friendly choices.