The results for Bangladesh, particularly with regards to the trade-off between meeting the nutrient needs of its population and achieving a planetary health diet,<sup>13</sup> are likely going to be the case for most developing countries. The global implication may mean a trade-off with a higher environmental cost to meet nutrient needs in certain contexts and an acceleration of a more ‘plantforward’ diet in high-income countries (Mason-D'Croz et al. 2019). This would entail a moderate, albeit an increased intake of animal source foods in lower/middle-income countries and a substantial decrease in many high-income countries. A “healthy diet” may not look too different across countries but optimizing may mean different shifts across different countries through the spectrum of development.

Currently, the global production levels would preclude the provision of the EAT-Lancet diet, particularly due to the low production of non-staple plant-based foods (pulses, nuts, vegetables, fruit). In addition, supply chain issues related to the cold chain and transport of perishable foods also presents challenges in many contexts and needs to be addressed as part of a food systems transformation.

The policy level implications related to the production, or the supply side provides an opportunity to prioritize actions and investments in certain food sectors for Bangladesh. Food and agricultural policies and regulation affect what is grown and its impact on the environment, overall global food prices, and practices related to processing, marketing, distribution, trade and retailing of foods and ingredients. Implications and options related to domestic production and potential for import have been outlined in the results. However, without a complete analysis of the logistics costs and impacts of all countries taking such an approach, it would be difficult to ascertain the true level of trade-offs.

Institutional demand, in the form of social assistance transfers that include provision of food (inkind or vouchers) and school feeding can be leveraged to direct food system change towards desirable outcomes and to manage trade-offs, including among specific target groups. Schools can serve as a good platform to ensure access to safe and nutritious school meals which along with education and social and behavior change communication can support the establishment of healthy habits from early in life.

# **4.4 Demand-side considerations**

The diet in Bangladesh is increasingly reflecting an urban lifestyle of convenient foods and an over consumption of rice and foods rich in salt, sugar, and oil <mark>(Cabinet Division of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and WFP 2019)</mark> . The Fill the Nutrient Gap analysis in Bangladesh <mark>(Cabinet Division of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and WFP 2019)</mark> showed low consumption of fruit, vegetables, and animal source foods due to additional time and labor required to source and prepare the foods, higher consumer trust in packaged foods and concerns related to food safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nutritious foods, especially green leafy and other

> 13 The discussion is further elaborated by two of the authors of this document in Mehra et al. 2021. “Greening Food Demand in Less-Advanced Economies” in _The Economics of Sustainable Food,_ edited by Batini, N, 140-154. Washington, DC: Island Press.

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