In recent years, the debate on nutrition has been marked by extreme oppositions, where the most important perspective often gets lost: that of science, history, and culture. This is where the book “Walking with Lucy. Why do we eat the way we speak? Virtue and value of animal proteins”, edited by Pietro Paganini in collaboration with Carola Macagno, with scientific contributions by Elisabetta Bernardi and Giuseppe Pulina.

A sold-out preview

The book was presented in preview on July 9 in Rome, in front of a cross-sectional audience that united the academic world, institutions, businesses, media, and civil society.

Among the speakers who commented on the book with the author were numerous members of Parliament – Ms Paola De Micheli, Ms Isabella De Monte, Mr Giorgio Maria Bergesio, Mr Luca De Carlo, and Mr Giorgio Salvitti – along with sustainability and nutrition experts – Prof. Giuseppe Pulina and Dr. Elisabetta Bernardi.

The shared message? A more balanced public reflection is needed, far from extremism and based on evidence.

Why is Lucy guiding us?

Lucy – the Australopithecus afarensis who lived over 3 million years ago – is the undisputed protagonist. Not a historical figure, but a symbol of critical thinking, who accompanies us on a journey through our evolutionary and cultural history to reflect on how and why we eat.

Animal proteins are an integral part of this history: fundamental for the development of the brain, language, cooperation, and social life.

The volume invites us to reconsider this perspective, adopting a balanced approach that acknowledges the value of animal proteins within a diverse and mindful dietary model, such as the Mediterranean diet.

Key takeaways – the point of view of science and institutions

• Animal proteins offer a complete amino acid profile, high bioavailability, and essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, and zinc, which are difficult to replace with plant-based sources.
• In Europe, agricultural emissions have decreased by 37% from 1990 to 2023. In Italy, thanks to pastures and forests, the balance between emissions and absorptions is now almost neutral.
• Systems such as Nutriscore, based on overly simplified criteria, risk penalizing high-quality foods. More nutrition education based on scientific evidence is needed.
• Animal proteins are an integral part of the Mediterranean diet and of the Italian agri-food identity, from a cultural, nutritional, and economic perspective.

Culture, not ideology

In the midst of the European debate on nutrition, sustainability, and innovation, A spasso con Lucy proposes a different path: that of knowledge, complexity, and common sense.

Animal proteins are not an enemy, but a resource – if consumed consciously, within a balanced model such as the Mediterranean diet.

Excluding them out of prejudice means forgetting our evolutionary history, but also ignoring scientific evidence and the sustainable solutions already available today.

Under the spotlight: what the media say

The event garnered significant media attention, resulting in extensive coverage in the press. Here is a selection of Italian headlines among the many published:

• ADNKronos
• Agricolae 
• ANSA
• Dire
• EFANEWS
• TG5

The event in pictures: Lucy conquers Rome

Available in Italian from September in all bookstores and online, the book is an invitation to reflect on what it means today to eat sustainably, for the planet and the human being.

Lucy reminds us of a simple and powerful truth: it is not necessary to exclude, but to understand, because only knowledge allows us to make more conscious, balanced, and responsible food choices.