Ejercicio OPTION A - II · Inglés PAU País Vasco Ordinaria 2024

Practical Advice for Healthier, More Sustainable Diets

Concerns about the environment are growing, and experts agree that it is crucial for governments, leaders, and individuals to take action, especially regarding our food choices. This is why health professionals have been offering more and more information about sustainable diets to the general public.

‘Sustainable diets’ refer to eating habits that are good for the planet and can be maintained over time. However, the concept of sustainability does not only consider the environment but what is good for people, too; in other words, sustainable diets must also take people’s health into consideration. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, a sustainable diet promotes individual health and well-being, has a low environmental impact, is accessible, affordable, and safe.

Making our diet more environmentally friendly involves a few simple steps. First, experts insist that we should try to eat more plant-based foods like beans, vegetables, and grains because meat and dairy production has a much greater impact on the environment. Second, if we avoid wasting food by planning our meals, storing food properly, and finding creative ways to use leftovers, we will also be able to reduce our demand for food production and, consequently, use fewer resources. Third, it is important to choose foods that are produced locally to save the energy used for transporting food, as well as to choose foods that are in season because they require less energy to be produced, which also means they can be bought for less money.

Taking care of your health with a sustainable diet is also simple. Make sure to eat a mix of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This will prevent you from missing important nutrients. Try different protein sources like beans, nuts, and seeds, which are lower in saturated fats and higher in fiber. It is okay to consume some meat, but you should eat smaller portions and do so less often. Lastly, make a serious effort to cut down on highly processed foods: they tend to be less nutritious and have more sodium and sugar in them.

Adopting sustainable diets not only benefits the planet but also supports individual health. And it is much easier to achieve than you think. Through these practical steps, everyone can play a role in creating a healthier and more sustainable world.

II.- Are these statements True or False? Justify your answers based on information from the text, rewriting the original sentences in your own words or quoting properly. (Choose 2 out of the 3 statements) (2 marks)

1.

Plant-based foods are less environmentally friendly than meat and dairy.

TRUE

FALSE

2.

Eating many different foods will provide you with fundamental nutrients.

TRUE

FALSE

3.

Meat should never be eaten.

TRUE

FALSE