If you open up your kitchen pantry and grab the first bagged, boxed, or canned product in there, you'll probably be bowled over by the ingredient list. The truth is, almost everything we eat is full of crazy chemicals and strange ingredients that do a lot of harm to our bodies. And while it's hugely important to think about how the foods we eat affect our health, it's also important to consider how they affect the health of our planet. The truth is, between production, packaging, shipping, and storage, most of the items in your fridge and pantry do as much damage to the planet as they do to your body.
Eating greener also means eating healthier. Want to do better for both your body and your planet? Read on for some tips on greener eating.
1. Do an inventory. Most of us don't pay a whole lot of attention to what we eat. We buy what we like, and generally leave it at that. It's time to give a little extra attention to what's in your fridge and pantry. The first step in eating greener (and healthier!) is getting rid of all that processed and ultra-packaged food. Take the unopened stuff to your local food bank, toss the rest (don't forget to recycle), and get ready to start fresh. Then do an inventory of your fresh foods and how they can be changed for the better. Did your eggs come from healthy, well-treated chickens? Are any of your vegetables local?
2. Go organic. While organic foods are generally more expensive than standard produce, these healthier, "greener" fruits and veggies are well worth the cost. The pesticides and other chemicals used in the production of most fruits and veggies are just as bad for your body as they are for the environment. By ridding them from your diet, you're doing something good for you and sending a message to the agricultural industry: pesticide-ridden foods are not okay.
3. Skip the hormones. Cows that have been injected with special hormones produce more milk than your average cow. But these hormones have been linked to all sorts of health problems, including cancer, causing them to be banned in Europe. They're also terrible for the cows themselves. Do a favor for yourself and the animals involved by buying hormone-free dairy.
4. Buy sustainable. Essentially, buying sustainable foods means buying local foods. The average grocery store carrot is shipped almost 2000 miles in a gas-guzzling vehicle in order to reach your local grocery store chain. But chances are, there are several small markets and farmers markets in your area that you don't even know about. With the internet at your fingertips, you can find local bakeries and farmers, even local dairy products, meats, and cheeses with ease. The less distance your food has to travel to reach you, the less damage its production does to the environment. And as a health bonus, these items are usually a heck of a lot healthier than the ultra-processed stuff you'll find in your grocery store.
5. Make a plan. The easiest way to maintain a healthier, greener style of eating is to plan ahead. Visit local providers and stock up, if you can. Plan your meals ahead of time to require fewer visits to markets and shops. If you plan two meals made up of locally-produced foods per week, you'll make a significant dent in the damage your eating habits do to the planet. Another great way to eat greener? Plan at least one meat-free meal a week. Livestock creates about 18% of the world's greenhouse gasses, so substituting meat with beans, tofu, or other high-protein veggies is just as good for the Earth's health as it is for yours.
