While good nutrition is essential for human life, food production has a significant impact on the environment. A more sustainable approach to taking care of your body can help protect the earth and the climate. Learn how to fill your plate with more eco-friendly foods by practicing these sustainable habits:
Gardening offers many benefits beyond the bounty of your harvest. Spending time outside in the sun is good for the soul, while the food you grow is a convenient source of nutrition. When you pick fresh produce from your backyard, you bypass transportation, packaging, and many of the other aspects of food production that are harmful to the environment. In addition, you enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are personally responsible for the food on your plate.
A lot of food is lost every year. Not only can this food help hungry people, it also takes up valuable space. There are countless simple ways you can do your part to help reduce food waste. Make sure food is properly stored to prevent it from spoiling before you eat it. At the grocery store, select "ugly" foods that may be misshapen or look unusual, but are still completely edible. Plan your meals to use those ingredients and avoid leftovers or reuse them in another meal. Avoid overeating, which negatively affects your health, wastes food resources and increases the environmental impact of processing and transportation.
Choosing snacks that share your commitment to the climate can make a big difference. Not only does it help you feel better about the food you eat, supporting brands that make the environment a priority can raise the bar for others.
Eating fresh, seasonal produce isn't just delicious; it's better for the earth. Typically, extensive resources are needed to make food available out of season, such as transportation to transfer food from a more productive growing climate or energy sources to create artificial growing conditions in heated greenhouses. Alternatives include buying extra foods while in season and storing them or using minimally processed alternatives such as frozen or canned foods.
In general, foods with more packaging have a greater impact on the environment. While some degree of packaging is required to safely store and transport food, choosing options with minimal recyclable packaging is one step you can take to reduce the impact of the food you eat on the planet.
Locally produced foods travel a shorter distance, meaning less handling and transportation. That's good news for the environment and it's also an easy way to support your community. Knowing more about the sources of your food goes beyond eating locally. You can also shop from brands that promote sustainable farming and take meaningful steps to protect the environment, animals and natural habitats.
