A long-term dataset of dietary patterns and associated environmental effects in China from 1987 to 2023

The global food system is undergoing a profound transformation, with significant implications for human health and environmental sustainability. Systematic analysis of dietary evolution and its environmental effects is essential for sustainable food system development. Existing research, however, typically emphasized short-term dynamics or isolated environmental factors, neglecting a thorough analysis of the long-term, multidimensional effects of dietary transformation on water, land, and carbon resources. This study constructed a long-term dataset from 1987 to 2023 on the evolution of dietary patterns in China and their associated environmental effects, based on data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics. The dataset established a framework that links diet to water use, land requirement, and carbon emissions. It covers nine food categories: cereals, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, sugar, eggs, milk, meat, and aquatic products. The dataset comprises long-term time series, multidimensional characteristics, and granularity, providing essential data to support the development of sustainable dietary transition strategies tailored to China’s national conditions and to optimize regional resource allocation.