We all know about recycling, saving energy and fossil fuels – but what about sustainable eating? Here’s how your diet can help save the planet.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve shared tips on how to be more eco-friendly in how you travel or your health and beauty routine. And, whilst those changes were minor, changing the food you eat is a bigger commitment. When it comes to saving the planet, I’m a huge advocate for doing what you can. That doesn’t have to be everything all at once, but trying new things and committing to one or two changes.
Try out at least one of these five tips and see how long you can commit to sustainable eating.
Swapping Out The Plastic
For me, it’s incredibly frustrating when I do the weekly shop and everything is individually wrapped in soft plastic. Luckily, this is something most supermarkets seem to be moving away from. And I’m all for it, but sometimes it still isn’t enough. In the fresh fruit and veg section, I don’t use the small plastic bags on offer. Instead, I’ll leave them loose, or I bring my own reusable ones. If you’d like to get some of your own, here’s a list The Independent has put together.
Vegan Choices
I’m not a vegan myself, but I’m always inspired by how many vegan products promote sustainable eating. You don’t have to make the full commitment – I for one love cheese too much to go fully vegan. But adding the odd vegan product into your diet here and there is a great way to commit to sustainable eating. It’s as easy as eating more plant-based products – have a side of vegetables instead of chips, try that plant burger for a change, swap out dairy for oat milk (the superior dairy alternative – I won’t hear otherwise). You don’t have to do it all of the time, and if something really doesn’t work for you then at least you’ve tried. The livestock industry produces 14.5% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, so any small changes can help to make a difference.
Vary Your Diet
A key factor in sustainable eating is variety. We all have our comfort foods that we keep coming back to, but it doesn’t hurt to try new things – particularly if the planet depends on it. 75% of the world’s food supply comes from only twelve plants and five animals, and we’re constantly hearing about ‘overfishing on the news. Both of these are incredibly damaging to our planet. WWF has teamed up with Knorr to make a list of the 50 Future Foods that we should be making an effort to integrate into our diets. Take a look and try something new each week for a year, you may find a firm favourite!
Grow Your Own
Now, this isn’t the easiest in a uni flat, I know – most of the time you’re trying to stop gross things growing on unwashed plates. However, even just getting yourself a little tomato plant, or a little herb selection shows that you’re making an effort towards sustainable eating. My university gave out chive kits at a freshers event, so look into whether yours does something similar. You’ve cut out the carbon footprint and may have something to be proud about.
Save On The Waste
We all do it – cook too much with eyes bigger than our bellies and then can’t manage it all. Instead of it going straight in the bin, try freezing it! Not only will it save you from having to cook when your end of year assignments are toppling upon one another, but it’s another step towards sustainable eating. Frighteningly, 30% of food is wasted, so be part of the sustainable eating solution, and freeze your leftovers for another day.