Food choices shape more than just personal health. They also leave a mark on the environment. Across sub-Saharan Africa, that connection is becoming clearer as incomes rise and cities expand.

For years, many families in the region have struggled to get enough food. Meals often lack key nutrients. Now, things are shifting.

As people earn more and move into urban areas, their diets begin to change. They start eating more meat, dairy, and processed foods. These changes bring both benefits and new challenges.

Food production and consumption account for about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. That means what ends up on a plate can influence climate change in a real way.

“However, the environmental impacts are much lower in countries south of the Sahara,” noted Dr. Matin Qaim from the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn.

In this region, people often eat less overall, and animal-based foods are less common. That situation is starting to shift.

A team led by Dr. Juliana Minetto Gellert Paris analyzed dietary data from nearly 18,000 households in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Nigeria.

The researchers didn’t just look at what people ate. They also examined how each food item affects the environment, from farm to table.

“We carried out what is known as a life cycle assessment for each food item consumed,” explained Dr. Gellert Paris, lead author of the study.

The team measured land use, fertilizer input, food waste, and transportation distances.

“Using all of these factors, it is possible to calculate, for example, what quantity of greenhouse gases is generated during the production of one liter of milk or one kilo of maize or cassava flour,” said Gellert Paris.

The findings show a clear pattern. Wealthier households tend to eat more like people in Western countries.

Their diets include higher amounts of meat, eggs, milk, and processed foods. Drinks like soda, coffee, and fruit juice also become more common.

This shift isn’t limited to the rich. City life plays a role too.

“A similar trend can be observed among those who live in urban areas,” said Dr. Qaim. “This even applies to those who do not earn quite as much.”

These dietary changes bring more protein and nutrients, which can improve health. But they also increase environmental pressure.

Producing animal-based foods requires more land, water, and energy compared to plant-based staples.

The region’s population is growing fast. Around 1.3 billion people live in sub-Saharan Africa today, and that number could double by 2050. Feeding everyone well is a major challenge.

“Up to a certain level, this is positive,” explained Dr. Gellert Paris: “The increased consumption of animal products, in particular, leads to a better supply of important nutrients.”

Still, there is a limit. Too much meat can harm both health and the environment. The study points out that pushing for strict dietary changes may not be realistic.

“Supplying them all with high-quality foods is an urgent goal. Even if this should require the increased production of animal-sourced products,” said Dr. Gellert Paris.

“Given still high levels of undernutrition, it would be both arrogant and cynical to expect the people there to become vegetarians for the benefit of the environment.”

As diets evolve, environmental impacts will likely rise. But the study suggests ways to manage that growth.

Improving farming methods is one key step. Higher crop yields mean more food can be produced on less land. That helps limit deforestation and habitat loss.

Reducing food waste is another priority. In many areas, food spoils before it reaches consumers due to poor storage and transport systems.

“Thanks to technological advancements, the environmental consequences can at least be reduced,” said Dr. Qaim.

Education also plays a role. The researchers caution against simply copying Western eating habits, which often rely heavily on processed foods and large amounts of meat.

“Alongside this, however, policymakers should attempt to prevent our current Western lifestyle from spreading to African countries through education campaigns,” said Qaim.

“After all, we are certainly not a good role model when it comes to sustainability.”

The full study was published in the journal Sustainable Production and Consumption.

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