The choices we make every day have a great impact on the environment, and food is no exception to this rule, as the majority of it is produced unsustainably and with no care for future generations.
It’s because of this that we must change our ways and adopt new food strategies and habits, preferably ones that would prioritize the lengthening of this planet and our species as a whole.
However, to do this, we’d all have to work in tandem to help change things, which is practically impossible.
This doesn’t mean that you still can’t do your part in fighting for this planet, and by trading certain foods for their more sustainable counterparts you could be the one to start a wave of change.
Of course, this isn’t a be-all-end-all list of foods that you should or shouldn’t eat, but rather, a guide to help you further understand sustainable food production and what you can do to help.
You might even be surprised to find out that some of your favorite foods have an incredibly negative effect on the environment.
Naturally, you shouldn’t and won’t just give up on stuff like avocados and chocolate because of this, but it’s always nice to know how the food made the journey to your table.
On top of all of this, sustainable food tends to be very nutritious, and by choosing to help the planet, you could also be helping your body with nutrient intake.
Mushrooms
Often called the meat of the forest, mushrooms are one of the most sustainable foods out there, and it’s mainly due to their ability to absorb nutrients from by-products of other crops, which allows them to grow while also having an extremely low environmental impact.
On top of this, they don’t require an excessive amount of water, slightly under 7.5 liters per pound, and to make things better, they emit low quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere.
If this wasn’t enough, mushrooms can be grown on a small plot of land too, and a single acre can produce a million pounds every year.
They’re extremely nutritious and can be thrown into a variety of dishes.
Mussels
If seafood is your thing, maybe it’s time to give mussels a try, as they can be produced sustainably, allowing the species to prosper despite being harvested for food.
They’re often farmed by using long lines of rope strung out in the water, although they can be harvested in the wild as well.
The upside to mussels is that they offer a hefty amount of animal protein while not requiring any land or feed to grow.
Additionally, they’re actually great for the environment as they reduce the number of greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere by taking in CO2 from the ocean as a means of growing their shells.
They can be consumed in a multitude of ways and they’re a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, which makes them a great alternative to less sustainable animal protein options.
Cereal and grain
This food group ranks lowest on the list of greenhouse gas emissions, and while they do require a fair amount of farmland to grow, they don’t need as much water as animal products do.
Wheat only requires around 620 liters per pound, which is under 7% of the water needed to produce the same amount of beef.
Needless to say, animal products do offer a greater amount of protein that’s necessary for our bodies, but choosing not to support irresponsible farming and animal cruelty is a great way to help keep this planet beautiful.
You can also go the extra step and opt for cereals and grains grown in your country, as you won’t be contributing to the emissions caused by imports, meaning that your overall carbon footprint will be lowered as well.
Leafy greens
Remember when you were little and you just couldn’t get yourself to eat your greens?
Hopefully, those times are long gone, as leafy foods like kale, spinach, and arugula can offer a variety of health benefits while also having an extremely low impact on the environment.
They’re considered to be one of the most eco-friendly foods on the market as they require the bare minimum to grow in large quantities, meaning that the trade-off is always in your favor.
On top of this, they can make a great addition to most dishes, turning them into healthy and nutritious meals you can consume at any part of the day.
You can include them in your smoothies and even make entire salads using only leafy greens and some vegan-friendly dressing.
Bottom line
Your diet has a huge impact on the environment, at least if you’re not looking out for what you eat and how you procure it.
By making some minor changes to what you eat, you could easily help reduce the environmental impact of food production, and with others following your example, we could strive towards a cleaner and healthier planet.