Green Is The New Black: Tips On Eating More Sustainably

Bamboo products- Check.

Glass water bottles- Check.

Energy-efficient lighting- Check.

Using public transport- Check.

Eating habits- Well, what?

When it comes to sustainability, most people take an ignorant stance towards their eating habits. They stay oblivious to the fact that what they eat also affects their planet. According to research, some food products that harm human health also take their toll on the environment. They don’t just affect wildlife but also instigate climate change. Hence, eating sustainably has become the need of the hour.

If you are already walking the green path, it’s time to add a new green habit, the habit of eating sustainably. Here are a few tips on eating more sustainably.

Say goodbye to red meat

The production of red meat, specifically lamb and beef, wreaks havoc on the environment. It contributes to the disruption of the ecosystem, emission of greenhouse gases, and soil and water degradation.

Processed red meat, such as hot dogs, sausage, ham, beef jerky, etc., doesn’t just hamper health but also the planet.

Say goodbye to red meat and switch it with plant-based protein. Enterprises like Future Farm are already going extra lengths to bring plant-based meat to your table.

Switch refined grains with unprocessed whole grains

Cereals and grains are packed with health and environmental benefits. However, the process of refining and processing strips off all the nutritional value from them.

Instead of eating refined grains, opt for whole grains for your daily dose of vitamin B, protein, minerals, and antioxidants. Consider adding barley, spelt, teff, wild rice, and buckwheat into your diet as they are healthier and have lesser carbon emissions. They contribute to improving soil health as well.

Buy local food

One of the most substantial steps you can take to make your lifestyle more sustainable is opting for locally-grown food. While there are many benefits of buying local, reduction of energy usage and greenhouse gas emission are the most substantial.

Visit local farmer markets to source food. Buy grocery from stores that source local food. If you have a garden, take a step further and grow your food.

Purchase in-season produce

Season produce grows naturally. Hence, they do not require much energy for production and maintenance. Out-of-season produce needs specific energy-run equipment (high-energy lighting and heating) to grow them in synthetic conditions. Moreover, the produce travels a long distance to reach the grocery stores resulting in higher fuel consumption and pollution.

On top of all that, seasonal produce is affordable, healthy, and tastes delicious.

Consider bulk shopping

Buying less means more packing waste, which, in turn, translates to high resource and energy expenditure on producing them. By shopping in bulk, you contribute to the reduction in packaging waste.

Reduce food waste

Food waste is one of the major concerns today. Firstly, food production involves using land, water, energy, fuel, and fertilizers in copious amounts. Hence, wasting food is equivalent to wasting energy.

Next, when the food waste reaches landfills, it causes land, water, and air pollution.

Compost

Your responsibility of eating sustainably doesn’t end with placing sustainable food on your plate. Adopt green disposal habits too.

While your prime focus should be on reducing food wastage as much as possible, compost the leftover food. With composting, you can turn the organic waste into fertilizer. Use this nutrient-rich fertilizer to grow healthy plants and more food.

The bottom line

An eco-friendly lifestyle requires you to monitor your spending, travelling, and energy-saving habits. To round your sustainable lifestyle, change your eating habits too.

We hope these tips will help you adopt a completely green and healthy lifestyle.