This project by Sports Evolutions Alliances promotes sustainable food consumption by encouraging eco-friendly diets among athletes in Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.
Objectives:
The main objective of the project is to contribute and encourage the use of sustainable food consumption thereby being part of a societal shift towards healthier and more sustainable diets by:
- Educating athletes on sustainable food choices for health, performance, and the environment.
- Raise awareness of the carbon footprint of dietary choices.
- Provide sustainable dietary guidelines and tools.
- Train nutritionists to guide athletes toward eco-friendly diets.
Description of the practice:
To reach the objectives of the project, several practices were implemented. As a part of the project, several online training sessions and awareness programmes were held on sustainable diets to be used by sports professionals and athletes. Furthermore, toolkits and guidelines on sustainable diets were created for athletes and other sports professionals. A digital nutrition tool was also designed to be accessible to professional
and amateur athletes. Finally, as a part of the project, policy suggestions were made to incorporate sustainable food into national dietary guidelines.
Impact & Results:
- Increased Knowledge and Awareness
- Shifting Dietary Habits
- Creating Role Models and Agents of Change
- Enhanced Access to Educational Resources
- Increased Capacity of Sports Nutrition Professionals
- Cross-Country Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Conclusion & suggestion for youth workers:
One of the main benefits of this best practice is its replicability for multiple organisations and sports clubs, regardless of their size or scale. Consulting or inviting a nutritionist, or for smaller organisations conducting their research or seeing online, there are plenty of online videos and material available that you use on how to shift to a more sustainable diet. This may include buying locally produced vegetables and goods or serving vegetarian or vegan dishes. Finally, cooking vegetarian or vegan dishes requires some knowledge and practice to ensure you can provide filling, tasty dishes that provide the energy and protein that athletes need.
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