Transforming Diet for the Earth: Three Basic Strategies for an Eco-conscious meals Plan
Keeping Your New Year's Resolution: 3 Strategies to Eat Healthier and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
By Jean Ong
Sustaining a healthier diet and being eco-friendly can seem challenging when juggling daily commitments. But making conscientious food choices doesn't have to be difficult. Here are three strategies that make sticking to your New Year's resolution to eat better and help the planet a breeze.
The Health Benefits of Eating Sustainably
Implementing sustainable eating habits benefits both your body and the environment. You can enjoy delicious, nutrient-rich meals while actively contributing to eco-friendly practices and minimizing your environmental impact. The term "food activism" encompasses this approach: doing good through your plate, positive results for the planet. Mediterranean diet meal delivery is one way to achieve this balance.
Three Strategies to Achieve Your Health and Sustainable Goals
- Make eco-friendly choices; prioritize fruits and vegetablesEating sustainably is essentially eating healthily. Both promote increasing your fruit and vegetable intake over meat and carbs, a dietary gold standard. Adopting a more plant-based diet doesn't mean giving up meat altogether. Just adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals will already transform your health. Shifting from a meat-heavy diet to a more plant-based one has the additional advantage of reducing your carbon footprint.
- Choose lean meats over red meatsGiving up meat entirely may not appeal to everyone. However, choosing lean meats like fish and poultry provides a healthier and more sustainable option. These food sources contain lower fat and have a smaller carbon footprint than red meat. The American Heart Association encourages individuals to consume more lean white meat and limit red meat.
- Enjoy eco-friendly versions of treatsEveryone deserves a treat now and then. To satisfy your sweet tooth while staying on track with your health and sustainability goals, create healthier versions of your favorite desserts using bananas instead of dairy, resulting in less calorie and fat content.
Fruits and Vegetables: The Ultimate Choice for Eco-Conscious and Healthier Eating
Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet is both good for your health and the planet. Since meat production has a substantial carbon footprint, eating plant-based food has a considerably smaller impact on the environment. Plant-based diets also help combat chronic diseases due to their increased nutrient content, including phytochemicals. The best part is that you don't need to completely abstain from meat to experience health benefits; simply increasing plant consumption will already make a difference.
Final Thoughts on Eating Sustainably
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an ongoing journey, not a sprint. It involves making eco-friendly choices a habit. By introducing sustainable, healthy foods into your daily routine, you are enhancing your well-being and supporting the planet. Jean Ong, founder of Ecolover United, emphasizes the importance of thinking long-term and adjusting your habits as needed to achieve sustainable success.
Jean Ong is the creator of Ecolover United, a movement encouraging everyday individuals to live sustainably and stylishly. A Business Management graduate with a major in Marketing, Jean works as a store manager during the day and dedicates her free time to promoting sustainable living. She is an avid nature lover and aligns her beliefs with her actions, ensuring she prioritizes eco-friendly choices daily. Follow Jean Ong on Instagram @jean.ecolover_united for inspiration and guidance on living a sustainable lifestyle.
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[1] Sustainability in the Food System: The Greening of Foodservice Operations. C.A.S.E. (Center for Advancement of Sustainable Education), 2021.[2] Food emission reduction potential of transforming the global food system. Nature Food, 2019.[3] Environmental impacts of dietary choices. Journal of Environmental Management, 2016.
- Adopting a sustainable lifestyle that emphasizes healthy cooking involves prioritizing home-garden-sourced fruits and vegetables, as they contribute to a healthier body and a reduced carbon footprint.
- During your food-and-drink choices, opt for lean meats like fish and poultry in your sustainable-living kitchen, as they offer a healthier and more eco-friendly alternative to red meats.
- To maintain a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle while still indulging in desserts, seek enjoyable and healthier food-and-drink recipes that incorporate fruits and lessen the calorie and fat content, such as using bananas instead of dairy.
