Food choices for sustainable living

Many are surprised at the impact our food choices can potentially have on the environment. However, as consumers we can play a role in supporting sustainable living by making active choices when it comes to the food we eat.

How do the food choices we make affect the environment?
Our dietary choices can affect the planet in different ways. In recent years, experts have called upon people to make food choices that favour sustainable living. This could be moving towards a vegetarian diet and reducing meat and dairy intake to slow the pace of climate change. A meat-orientated diet also requires greater energy and is more costly than a vegetarian diet. By reducing our consumption of animal products we can play a role in reducing the amount of animals raised for food and in turn, reduce sources of methane emissions.

Food for sustainable living
There are a range of food choices you can make to support sustainable living. Opting for a more vegetarian-based diet is one way; however, sustainable living can also be achieved by supporting traditional farming practices rather than chemical-based mass production that pollutes the land and waterways and also affects the quality of the food. You can also encourage sustainable living by supporting local and equitable forms of food distribution and consumption.

Fish and sustainable living
Many people tend to give precedence to the issues of sustainable living when linked to meat production such as factory farming. However, there are significant environmental impacts from harvesting seafood and over fishing. In addition to the waste and pollution created, unsustainable harvesting is leading to the endangerment of some fish species.

Sustainable food choices
Here are a few tips on how you can make mindful food choices that will support sustainable living:

Opt for a vegetarian meal a few nights a week. Vegetarian foods are beneficial for sustainable living and are a tasty and healthy option. If you are reluctant to try an all-veggie meal there are a range of soy meat substitutes to try.

Experiment around with the great vegetarian options available. Trying cooking lentils and use tofu in your meals.

Sustainable living can also benefit your health. Making food choices for sustainable living can also be a chance for you to cut back on heavily processed foods and adopt a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, lentils and grains.

Visit your local farmers or growers market to get food that is locally grown and which favours sustainable living attitudes. This is also often a cheaper option as energy outputs are lower and there is a more direct connection between the producer and consumer.  Natural health food stores will also stock a range of foods that support sustainable living.

Sustainable living can be achieved by making food choices that support the environment. Even making just a few alterations to your diet such as cutting down your meat intake and favouring organic, chemical free produce can overall support the environment and sustainable living.