Many people do not realise that their diet can actually have a huge impact on their carbon footprint, as in reality the food that you eat can have a very detrimental impact on the planet. Fortunately it doesn’t have to be this way, as there are many diet decisions that you can make which will minimize your impact on Mother Nature and help you to eat in a more environmentally friendly way. This guide contains some of the most effective steps that you can follow to switch up your diet and eat sustainably, so if you would like to find out more, then simply read on!
Try More Plant Based Meals
One of the most effective steps that you can follow to start eating in a more environmentally conscious manner is to try more plant based foods. Plant based foods are far more eco-friendly due to the way that they are produced, as it takes a lot less water to grow a pound of grain than it does to grow a pound of beef. In order to rear animals a farmer will need shelter, water, feed, medicines and more, which all take their toll on the environment. On the other hand, an arable farmer that grows nothing but plants will only need water and potentially a little fertilizer to help their fruits or vegetables grow, and they will not be producing masses of unmanageable and dangerous toxic waste like pigs and cows do. When it comes to good food, vegan meals can be some of the most delicious options around, so you won’t need to forfeit flavor when you make the switch to a plant based meal plan. It can be tough to fully convert to a vegan diet, especially if you’ve long been a fan of meat and dairy products, but as long as you can cut down on these foods slowly but surely, you will be reducing your carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Eat Local Food
Another great step that you can follow to eat in a more eco-conscious way is to shop for local produce rather than buying foods that have come from other countries. Every food item has a unique food mileage, which essentially tells you how far the item has traveled to reach your dinner plate. If you regularly consume exotic foods that come from Asia when you live in the US, your food miles will be ridiculously high and as a result you will be contributing to an enormous volume of transport pollution. Food can travel in trucks, ships, planes and more just to reach the supermarket shelves, which will certainly take a lot of fuel and resources to achieve. Instead of supporting this destructive cycle that leads to masses of unnecessary waste, choose to eat local foods which have been grown and produced by local farmers and manufacturers rather than buying from overseas. Eat seasonal foods rather than buying fruit that has been frozen or stored in a controlled manner to stop ripening for months on end.