Eating Green for a Greener Earth

Many things come to mind when we think about living sustainably; minimising packaging, recycling, and using environmentally friendly cleaning products, to name a few. But have you considered eco-friendly eating? This article explains what is meant by sustainable food as well as providing tips on how we can go one step further in our efforts to protect the environment and make conscious food choices that can also benefit our health.

Sustainable Food Choices: Eating Green for a Greener Earth!

Undoubtedly, the massive food industry is amongst the most environmentally wasteful supply chains humans have ever created. It has been consuming vast amounts of water, land, and other resources while generating hazardous quantities of greenhouse gasses; all for inefficient returns. However, the emergence of sustainable food options in the marketplace is starting to challenge the aforementioned mongering industry. The path towards truly achieving and adhering to an environment-friendly diet might seem difficult for even the most dedicated eco-warriors, but it gets easier as you get accustomed. 

With a good head-start, you’ll realise how sustainable and easy it is to incorporate some ‘greenery’ into your overall lifestyle and diet. From beans to rice and lentils, here’s a guide to the best sustainable foods and some eco-friendly eating tips.

What is Sustainable Food?

Sustainable foods are grown or raised so that their adverse effects on the environment and the societies that produce them are minimised. This category of food is entirely environment friendly with its usage of resources as sustainable as possible; not to mention the significantly lower and reduced greenhouse gas emission rates.

It is important to address this industry’s vision, which is to keep striving towards the reduction of carbon footprints associated with the food’s production at every step of the way. It might seem little but by choosing to eat sustainably, you are helping to reduce the threatening environmental impacts on a global scale.

What is Sustainable Eating?

Aside from environmental concerns, sustainable eating emphasises the instances of grotesque and inhumane conditions which several animals have to suffer through. Starting with how animals are being raised and slaughtered to the amount of compensation and treatment that the farmers receive on a regular basis. It is of crucial importance that the future food industry must be sustainable, and this is only possible if we manage the planet’s ever-increasing human population and an ever-decreasing stock of resources (land, water, and food itself).

According to the EAT-Lancet Commission Report (2019) on healthy diets from Sustainable Food Systems: A global shift has been observed towards more plant-based foods that would help feed the world’s growing population a nutritious and sustainable diet. This plant-based diet includes more legumes (beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts), whole grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts. It has also been strongly recommended to limit refined grains and added sugars for a healthier diet plan and avoid shams like zero calorie foods.

Easy Sustainable Eating Tips:

Grow your Food: It could be vegetables in a pot, fruits on the patio, or a small plot of land in your backyard. Growing your food gives you a better understanding of what it takes to produce food. The process can help you understand the factors that contribute to plant growth, the attention required to grow food successfully, and how difficult the process can be. These insights may impact how you buy, use, and dispose of food.

Buy from Local Shops: Shopping locally is a joyful way of supporting your neighbourhood. It keeps your money in your society and can help foster a positive environment of diversity. When you buy foods grown locally, you reduce the fuel used to transport the food to your market.

Vote with your money and fork: Influencing the bottom line of grocers, restaurateurs, and food companies is the best way to influence the direction of our food system and what they produce and sell. Request that your food providers support local farmers, producers, and sustainable agriculture. Show your support by making purchases.

Think about your Grocery list: Choose bulk foods, less processed foods, and more plant-based meals. These options frequently require less packaging, waste, energy, and water to produce.

Eat Seasonally: Although few foods do not grow in places every month, you can still purchase them “fresh” anytime. It may mean they’re probably coming from a long way away. Focus on foods in the season where you live whenever possible to support sustainability.

However, the quickest path to sustainability is to eliminate meat or, at the very least, reduce your consumption to a few times per week rather than every day. This reduces the demand for mass-produced meat while significantly reducing your environmental footprint (a plant-based diet also has numerous health benefits).

List of Sustainable Food options:

Mussels:

Mussels are a highly under-appreciated seafood because, unlike much other seafood, they can be produced sustainably. Most mussels are farmed, with long lines strung out in the water. Mussels are harvested without causing significant bycatch or damage to coral reefs.

Mussels are high in protein, which is good for your health. The meaty texture and flavour make them an extremely viable alternative to traditional seafood and meats, which can no longer be produced sustainably.

Beans:

Beans are among the most common and widely available sustainable foods on the market. They are also straightforward to implement into your current diet and come in a wide range of different varieties.

Beans belong to the legume family, including pulses. They are both environmentally friendly (due to their low water content and high yield) and highly healthy. Beans are high in protein (ideal for vegetarian and vegan diets) and a good source of B12, which we typically get from red meat such as beef. This includes pinto beans, kidney beans, fava beans, and soybeans (used to prepare tofu).

Green Leaves:

Green leaves, including everything from kale to spinach, are the epitome of healthy foods. If it’s green and leafy, it’s probably good for you. Leafy greens are simple to produce in large quantities while using few resources, and there are numerous variations to try. Green leaves aren’t just for salads and smoothies; they can also be easily incorporated into other meals (kale crisps, spinach curry, lettuce wraps, and much more).

Lentils:

Lentils are a kind of legume and are frequently considered a kind of bean, but we’ll include them separately because they’re a great source of protein and a great alternative to other types of beans. Lentils require little water to grow, but they produce a lot of protein. They are ideal for salads, soups, curries, and various other dishes.

Rice:

Rice is a staple food in many places worldwide because of its traditional hardiness and high energy content. It is simple to grow, and, contrary to popular belief, rice does not require much water to produce (the water in rice paddies keeps away harmful pests and bacteria). Rice is easy to grow, easy to cook, and can be stored for long periods.

Organic Fruit:

Fruit, like vegetables, must be included on our list of sustainable foods, but you must be careful which fruits you purchase. Again, choosing organically grown fruits in the shop or the market is always a safe bet. If possible, try to source local, seasonal fruit, resulting in a lower carbon footprint (they will have travelled a much shorter distance to reach the shelf). Fruits are incredibly diverse, and their availability in your area will be determined by climate, demand, and a variety of other factors.

Eco-friendly food is becoming more economical and widely available for mass production, making it a more appealing way of life. As production techniques and transportation methods adapt to ever-changing supply and demand chains, the concept of sustainability is constantly evolving. Deciding to eat more sustainably now can benefit both your body and the planet, so why not give it a shot? Live healthy while reducing your environmental impact, eat green and live greener.

Thanks to Stuti Shree from Be Zen for this article.