We are all reminded about needing to do our part for the protection and well-being of our planet. And, one of the best ways to do that is with the food we eat. After all, the meat industry is one of the biggest producers of CO4 in our atmosphere and the amount of unnecessary plastic that all of our food is wrapped in is ridiculous. However, there are ways you can still eat all of your favorites, and with just a few changes, you’ll ensure that you’ll be able to eat them well into the future.
Shop wrapper-free
One of the biggest issues with the food we buy in grocery stores is the packaging it comes in. Not only is buying in bulk cheaper for you, but it’s also sparing all the plastic of the pre-packaged products. Some countries have made strides in trying to make their food packaging sustainable by using banana leaves instead of plastic bags, but most of the world still uses plastic. Avoid it whenever possible. Pack your food remains in beeswax paper instead of plastic wrap and store it in reusable containers.
Get the veggies in
Most of us don’t eat enough vegetables. They are the most important part of our diet and they provide the nutrients and fiber needed for our bodies to function properly. But this also brings up another important issue: meat consumption. The amount of meat we eat is ridiculous, and there are so many people in the world who believe that no meal is complete if it doesn’t have meat in it. In reality, we are eating unnecessary amounts of meat and many of us are getting more protein than the recommended daily amount. It’s hard to just cut straight to not eating meat, but you can start by employing meatless Mondays and swapping out dark and red meats for something leaner like fish and chicken. This will help you discover new dishes and ways to get protein out of plants. This is crucial for the preservation of our planet and it’s something that every one of us can do to contribute.
Don’t forget your drinks
It’s not just food that you should eat sustainable, it’s drinking, too. And no, you don’t have to drink only water to be sustainable. Some juices and even alcohol are sustainably made – you just have to research the manufacturer. Not to mention, you can also make your own juice at home. But, if you want something more fancy with a nice dinner, you can have a glass of natural wine. Natural, sustainable wines are made from hand-picked grapes and natural fermentation techniques.
Be careful with where your produce comes from
This is especially important with fish as over-fishing has led to the disbalance in the ocean’s ecosystem. It’s crucial that the foods we eat come from sources that can be naturally replenished, and that no habitat has been harmed in creating the product, like forests being cut down for animal farms and pastures. Eating sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients is the only way to ensure you’ll still be able to eat them in a decade – not to mention the generations to come. Look for a sustainably sourced seal on the cans and packaging to make sure you’re eating right.
Don’t waste
We waste nearly the third of the food we produce, and that’s mostly due to its aesthetic appearance. We don’t want to eat bruised or misshapen food, and a lot of it is left to rot in the fields just because we’re too picky. There are ways you can help combat this. For starters, pick out the ugly fruit and veg in the supermarket. It tastes the exact same and once you chop it up nobody will know it was ever any different. Make sure you buy only what you need and freeze your leftovers for another meal instead of throwing them out.
We can all do our part to make sure the world is moving in a sustainable direction and that we’re looking out for the future. If all of us would make a small change and pay more attention to the food we eat, we would all live in a healthier, more sustainable world.