Abstract:
Sustainable-healthy diets that can nurture human health and the environment are paramount
important to achieving SDGs and the targets of the Paris Agreement. However, the diets of many
individuals and nations are neither healthy nor sustainable. Healthy diets prevent nutrient
deficiencies and reduce non-communicable disease risks. Animal source foods (ASF) are
considered a critically important component of a healthy diet. However, consumption of ASF,
particularly excess amounts of red meat and processed ASF items is reported to be associated
with a range of non-communicable diseases. Since the environmental impacts of ASFs are higher
than plant-sourced foods, the type and the amount of ASF consumed have a significant impact on
the sustainability and the healthiness of the diets. To make a practical impact on people and the
planet, apart from being sustainable and healthy, food items that are to be included in diets should
be affordable, reliable and preferred. This paper highlights the importance of chicken meat and
eggs as a sustainable, healthy, affordable, reliable and preferred (SHARP) source of ASF for Sri
Lankans.
Environmental impact indicators of chicken meat and egg are lower than other livestock products
and sometimes even comparable with popular ASF alternatives. Availability and the utilization
efficiencies of nutrients present in chicken meat and eggs are high due to their better digestibility
and balance of nutrients, particularly that of amino acids. Chicken meat contains a low amount of
fat and cholesterol. The conception that the consumption of chicken eggs is associated with health
risks has proven to be wrong. The steady increase in per capita consumption of chicken meat and
eggs that was experienced until the recent economic crisis and subsequent sharp drop in prices
of them with economic stability indicate better affordability. Environmental friendliness,
nutritional-merits and affordability of chicken meat and egg become even better compared to
other livestock products and popular ASF alternatives when the performances of relevant
indicators are expressed on unit of nutrient basis. Due to several reasons, the poultry industry
offers a reliable option to meet the increasing demand for animal proteins. Sri Lanka has reached
self-sufficiency in chicken meat and has great potential to expand, adapt and innovate. Showing
resilience and tenacity, the poultry sector showed a quick recovery along with economic stability.
In contrast to other livestock sectors, the production performance parameters of the Sri Lankan
poultry industry are comparable with those of international competitors. Importantly, ethnoreligious
taboos related to the production of poultry and consumption of poultry products are less
severe compared to other livestock products. The EAT-Lancet report for sustainable healthy diet
recommends up to 58 and 30 g of chicken meat and egg per day, respectively thus allowing great
opportunities for Sri Lanka to increase its present per capita consumption of chicken meat (29g)
and egg (18g) within the framework of SHARP diets.