Written in collaboration with Jeremy Bowler.
Did you ever stop to think that your dietary habits play a role in climate change? Food production alone makes up to 30% of all global greenhouse gas emissions and 66% of water usage. That means your daily dietary habits and the food choices you make have significant impacts on our environment. That is why adopting an eco-friendly diet and eating habits are essential. So, are you interested in doing your part to limit the adverse effects of eating habits on our environment and ourselves? Great! The following tips should set you off on the right track.
Consume more plant-based food
One way to reduce the effect of your eating habits on the environment is by including more plant-based foods in your diet. Eating more veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, etc., is an excellent way to provide your body with the essential nutrients it needs while eating in a sustainable way. What makes these foods more sustainable is that they are comparatively efficient to produce, as they require significantly less water during their production, unlike most animal-based food.
Eat less meat
Consuming less meat becomes an automatic suggestion. But it goes beyond that to the point of giving up animal products entirely. Experts have suggested that choosing a diet low in animal products has the most significant impact on the environment than any other diary change. For example, beef production is responsible for one of the most significant carbon footprints on the environment. Gradually cutting back on your meat consumption will be of great help. But there is no need to make sweeping changes immediately. Instead, you can start with smaller ingredient changes. For example, if you’re a lover of tacos, instead of adding a lot of meat products, you can use vegetables or even try fruit options like jackfruit tacos.
Cook once, eat twice
No matter how much you love cooking, preparing a different meal anytime you need to eat can be a very tiring undertaking. Plus, it is also time-consuming, expensive, and harmful to our environment. Try cooking your meals in large batches to either eat as leftovers or to store for future meals. This way of cooking also helps to save a lot of time and energy. For example, you can prepare your soups, sauces, and chilies in larger quantities and keep them in your refrigerator. All you need to do is retrieve them and warm them when you need to eat. Cooking in larger quantities is not a difficult task and offers many benefits to our environment.
Buy from the right sources
What you have in your kitchen will determine what you cook. So, the next time you go shopping for groceries and foodstuffs, opt for green markets, and always buy in bulk. If buying in bulk is too expensive, try splitting the cost with a friend. Also, explore local farmers’ markets to find fresh farm products grown locally. Better still, you can even start growing some of the food you need in your backyard.
xoxo Laura (in collaboration with Jeremy Bowler)
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