Sustainable Food Systems
Analysing food system scenarios to explore how dietary choices, food production and resource use influence environmental sustainability and nutritional outcomes.
Research & Expertise
Connecting nutrition, environmental sustainability and quantitative analysis.
My research explores how food systems can better support nutritional quality while reducing environmental pressures. I combine evidence synthesis, quantitative modelling and interdisciplinary analysis to understand trade-offs and generate insights that can inform research, policy and practice.
Research Interests
Research Streams
My work brings together nutrition science and sustainability analysis to investigate food systems from complementary perspectives.
Protein Quality and Nutrition
Investigating protein quality, amino acid availability and the nutritional implications of different food sources and dietary patterns, including the role of protein quality in sustainable diets.
Integrated Nutrition and Environmental Assessment
Bringing nutritional indicators together with environmental data to explore potential trade-offs between dietary quality, greenhouse gas emissions and land use.
Evidence Synthesis and Nutrition Research
Synthesising scientific evidence on nutrition and health, including systematic review methods and the interpretation of findings for research and decision-making.
Analytical Approach
Methodological Expertise
I use quantitative and qualitative approaches to structure complex questions, assess evidence and translate analytical findings into practical insights.
Quantitative Modelling and Scenario Analysis
Food system modelling, scenario development, sensitivity analysis and comparison of alternative dietary and sustainability pathways using R, Python and GAMS.
Nutrition and Dietary Assessment
Protein quality assessment, amino acid composition, nutritional indicators and interpretation of dietary and nutrition-related evidence.
Environmental Data Analysis
Integrating environmental datasets, including greenhouse gas emissions and land-use indicators, into food system analysis and modelling.
Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis
Reviewing and synthesising scientific literature to identify evidence patterns, research gaps and implications for nutrition and food systems.
Data Processing and Visualisation
Data cleaning, transformation, analytical workflows, reproducible research and visual communication using R, Python and dashboard tools.
Interdisciplinary Research
Integrating perspectives across nutrition, environmental sustainability and food systems, while collaborating with researchers and stakeholders from different disciplines.
Selected Academic Work
Selected Publications
A selection of my peer-reviewed research and doctoral work. Additional publications and research outputs can be added here.
Journal Article · 2022
Protein quality in perspective: A review of protein quality metrics and their applications
Adhikari, S., Schop, M., de Boer, I. J. M., & Huppertz, T. Nutrients, 14(5), Article 947.
Journal Article · 2022
Maternal dietary intake, nutritional status, and macronutrient composition of human breast milk: Systematic review
Adhikari, S., Kudla, U., Nyakayiru, J., & Brouwer-Brolsma, E. M. British Journal of Nutrition, 127(12), 1796–1820.
Journal Article · 2023
Consideration of utilizable amino acid content in the context of dietary protein quality assessment
Adhikari, S., de Boer, I. J. M., van Hal, O., & Huppertz, T. Sustainable Food Proteins, 1(4), 164–174.
Doctoral Dissertation · 2024
Protein quality and its role in food systems
Adhikari, S. (2024). Doctoral dissertation, Wageningen University.
Accepted / In Press · 2026
The role of protein quality in designing sustainable food systems
Adhikari, S., van Hal, O., van Selm, B., Huppertz, T., & de Boer, I. J. M.
Publication details and DOI will be updated when the final publication record is confirmed.
Beyond Journal Articles
Research Outputs
This section is regularly expanded/changed with selected conference contributions, presentations, research tools and other scientific outputs. It will highlight work that demonstrates the application of research methods and the communication of findings to academic and wider audiences.
Conference Contributions
Conference Paper · 2024
Role of nutrient requirements in the design of circular food systems – the case of older adults
Adhikari, S., van Hal, O., Huppertz, T., & de Boer, I. J. M. (2024). IFSA 2024 Conference Proceedings.
Conference Paper · 2022
Complimentarity of different food sources to meet amino acid requirements
Adhikari, S. (2022). Circular@WUR: Living within planetary boundaries.
Conference Contribution · 2021
Protein quality: From single ingredients to meals stresses the importance of milk proteins
Adhikari, S., & Huppertz, T. (2021). Dairy Science and Technology Symposium.
Research Communication
Research Communication
A healthy diet is only possible with balanced meals
Adhikari, S., & Huppertz, T. Sustainable Nutrition Initiative.
An accessible article explaining why nutrient requirements and amino acid utilisation should be considered at the meal level when assessing healthy diets and designing sustainable food systems.