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[Target Audience : Upper elementary students]
Quiz game!
Q1 : What did Professor Tilman find through his experiments on the relationship between biodiversity and land productivity?
Q2 : What diet, which is good for both health and the environment, did Professor Tilman recommend?
Answers :
Q1 : What did Professor Tilman find through his experiments on the relationship between biodiversity and land productivity?
Answer : 1. Biodiversity is important for improving land productivity.
Professor Tilman divided farmland into smaller sections and planted different numbers of species in different sections to observe their growth. This experiment showed that biodiversity plays an extremely important role in increasing the productivity, stability and fertility of land.
Q2 : What diet, which is good for both health and the environment, did Professor Tilman recommend?
Answer : 2. Eat more vegetables and less meat.
Professor Tilman investigated a wide range of food types and found that red meat (meat from cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, goats, and other mammals) and processed red meat (bacon and ham) were harmful to health and the environment while grains, nuts, fruit, and vegetables were good for both health and the environment. The Mediterranean diet, Japanese diet (washoku), and the traditional vegetarian diet in India are good examples of popular diets that use more fruit, vegetables, fish, and less red meat.
Important points!
Each species has different characteristics. They coexist with other species and create rich ecosystems by developing their strong points and playing their own roles.
Diet has a direct impact on health, and it influences the environment through agriculture*; therefore, changing dietary choices helps solve problems regarding diet, health and the environment.
*In addition to agriculture, diet can influence the environment through forestry and fishery.
More details!
Diets, in various regions, which are good for health and the environment
Professor Tilman suggested some diets in various regions that are good for both health and the environment: the Mediterranean diet, Japanese diet (washoku) and the traditional vegetarian diet in India.
These diets are not only good for health and the environment, but they are also delicious and preferred by many people. Why don't you try such diets and eat more vegetables and less meat?
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional diet in Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Italy, where people eat various local products.
People in the Mediterranean region eat bread made from whole grains, tubers, fruit, legumes, and nuts as well as seasonal fruit and vegetables every day. Salt, spices, and healthy olive oil are used in cooking, and the meals are served with an appropriate amount of wine.
They also eat fish, dairy products such as cheese and yogurt; chicken and eggs, but do not eat a lot of red meat (such as beef and pork), or sweets.
The reason that the Mediterranean diet has attracted attention is that fewer people suffer heart disease in Mediterranean countries than in other European countries along with the United States. The Mediterranean diet is well known as a healthy and low-fat diet.
Japanese Diet (Washoku)
Washoku is traditional Japanese cuisine. Because Japan is surrounded by ocean and enjoys four distinct seasons, seafood and seasonal vegetables are used in abundance, accompanied by rice, the staple food of the Japanese people.
Historically, the Japanese diet has not emphasized using meat, dairy, or cooking oils. While making the most of the natural flavor that each ingredient has, Japanese soup stock, soy sauce, and miso (both made by fermenting soybeans) are used to add flavor.
Japan has the world's longest life expectancy, and washoku is highly regarded as a healthy diet. In modern times, meat, spices, and other ingredients from all around the world have been included in washoku. Washoku products are now exported around the world and are developing in their own distinctive way in each region.
Traditional Indian Vegetarian Diet
In India, vegetarianism has been part of religious practice since ancient times. For this reason, the vegetarian diet in India provides the necessary nutrition without meat.
In addition to grains and vegetables, beans are eaten instead of meat for protein. Dairy products are also popular and often used in cooking.
India has a wide variety of herbs and spices, which give various flavors to their food.