Sustainable Business Strategy

Sustainable Nutrition

Sustainable nutrition refers to a diet that meets the nutritional needs of individuals while being environmentally responsible, culturally acceptable, accessible, affordable, and safe.

Sustainable nutrition goals

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eContribute positively to the health and well-being of individualsu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevent all forms of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight, and obesityu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eReduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases related to nutritionu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eHave a positive impact on the environmentu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eEncourage the preservation of biodiversityu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

What is important for implementing sustainable nutrition practices?

It is important that every individual has easy and quick access to quality foods that are nutritious and free from harmful components. Food that forms the basis of sustainable nutrition has a lower greenhouse gas emission intensity. Rational use of resources is important, as well as raising awareness of the negative aspect of food waste.

Health aspects of sustainable nutrition:

u003ch6u003eIt is based on unprocessed or minimally processed food, balanced between different food groups, with limited consumption of highly processed food and beverages.u003c/h6u003e

u003ch6u003e It includes whole grains, legumes, and nuts, and is rich in a wide variety of fruits and vegetablesu003c/h6u003e

u003ch6u003eIt imply moderate consumption of eggs, dairy products, chicken and fish, and a small amount of red meat.u003c/h6u003e

u003ch6u003eIt follows WHO guidelines to help reduce the risk of nutrition-related chronic non-communicable diseases and support overall health and well-beingu003c/h6u003e

u003ch6u003eIt provides appropriate levels of energy and nutrients to support growth, development, and an active, healthy life throughout the lifespan.u003c/h6u003e

u003ch6u003eIt promotes adequate hydration, with tap water as the preferred choice, alongside unsweetened teas and coffee, while reducing sugary drink consumptionu003c/h6u003e

u003ch6u003eReduce food waste, especially of perishable fruits and vegetables.u003c/h6u003e

Podravka follows the principles of sustainable nutrition and incorporates them into its products and the education of its consumers.

Foods and sustainable nutrition

u0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;

Sustainable nutrition is based more on foods of plant origin and less on foods of animal origin. Whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are especially recommended. It includes adequate hydration, with plain tap water as the first choice, as well as unsweetened teas and coffee.rnrnu0026nbsp;

Red and processed meat, eggs and dairy products, fish and seafood (preference should be given to those from sustainable sources), foods rich in saturated fats, salt and sugar, sweets, and alcoholic beverages should be consumed in moderation.

More about foods

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eWheat, rice, corn, barley, oats, buckwheat, millet, rye, quinoa, amaranth, spelt, sorghum, bulgur.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eWhole grains are digested more slowly, providing the body with sustained energy and a long-lasting feeling of fullness.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eGrains are eaten in the form of kernels, flour, flakes, and their sprouts are also edible.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eWhole grains are a better option than processed (refined) grains because nothing is removed from them during processing – they retain all vitamins, minerals, and fiber and are therefore more beneficial for human health.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eWhole grains are digested more slowly, providing the body with sustained energy and a long-lasting feeling of fullness.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eDry beans, dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, broad beans.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eThese plant-based foods, due to their abundance of protein, are considered an excellent substitute for meat. In addition, they are low in fat and rich in fiber, which makes them highly desirable as part of a proper diet.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eAlmonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, and macadamia nuts.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003ePeanuts belong to the legume family, but due to their nutritional composition and other characteristics, they are often classified as nuts.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNuts contain healthy fats that are important for heart and blood vessel health and are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, chromium, zinc, and iron.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eThey have a high energy value, but when consumed in moderation (25–30 g per day), they can have a beneficial effect on health without negatively affecting body weight.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eChoose a varied diet that emphasizes grains, fruits, vegetables, and their products, which form the basis of a healthy diet.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

  • u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eBuy only what will be used, in order to avoid unnecessary food waste.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

Reducing food waste

u003cstrongu003eDid you know that in Croatia around 71 kilograms of food are thrown away per person each year?u003c/strongu003e This amounts to more than 280,000 tonnes of food wasted annually. As much as 76% of this waste comes from households, compared to the European Union average of 53%.rnReducing food waste plays a key role in the fight against climate change. Food waste accounts for approximately 16% of all greenhouse gas emissions from the EU food system. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the production and transport of food that is ultimately discarded are responsible for around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.rnIn addition to environmental benefits, reducing food waste also helps households and businesses save money.

u003ch3u003eu003cstrongu003eFood waste can be reduced by:u003c/strongu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eplanning meals and preparing only as much food as will be eatenu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eusing smaller plates and bowls to avoid serving excessively large portionsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003efreezing leftovers or using them to prepare new mealsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003epaying attention to recommended portion size on product labels to reduces overeating and food wasteu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003estoring food properly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructionsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ecorrectly interpreting food expiration labels and not discarding safe food immediately after the date has passedu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eplacing food with a shorter shelf life in a more visible place in the refrigerator and on shelvesu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003etaking leftovers home from restaurantsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003esharing food with family, friends, and colleagues.u003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022list-style-type: none;u0022u003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

u003ch3u003eTeach children not to waste foodu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eChildren learn by example, which is why adults should show responsible attitudes toward waste, energy, and food in their daily habits.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eThere is little point in teaching children about the importance of reducing food waste if they see you throwing away meal leftovers every day. Instead, involve them in cooking and show them how to eat the prepared meal until the end.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eIf food is left over, teach them how to store it properly and reuse it in another meal.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eTalk to children about where food comes from and how many resources are involved in its production, packaging, transport, and preparation. From an early age, teach them to understand the importance of reducing food waste for the well-being of the planet.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

Quick links

Instantly access related content.