No one can deny the devastating impact that human activity has on the planet. Environmental issues have garnered far more attention in the mainstream media in recent years. As a result of this media attention coupled with campaigning from environmental groups, far more people are aware of the damage the planet is suffering at the hands of humans.
Plastic pollution, the destruction of forest habitats, and carbon emissions are just a few examples of human actions causing harm to the natural world. As some of these issues may feel like they are beyond the control of everyday people, it is easy to get complacent about the role everyone has to play in protecting the planet. Many people feel overwhelmed by plastic pollution, which can easily lead to inaction and a desire to ignore these problems. However, everyone can play their part in helping to protect the planet, as small actions can make a big difference when done collectively. Something as simple as changing your approach to eating can make a difference and is one of the easiest ways to help you start living more sustainably.
If you plan to adopt a sustainable approach to eating, these tips will help you make some meaningful changes.
Fall Back in Love With Food
Food is something many people take for granted. After all, supermarket shelves are packed tight with a vast range of different groceries and more ingredients than you could ever eat in a lifetime. However, this abundance of food can make it easy for people to eat a diet of convenience foods that come packaged and ready to heat and eat. Eating these kinds of foods daily can leave you feeling uninspired at mealtimes and take away the enjoyment of eating.
Re-thinking your relationship with food and falling back in love with mealtimes is an excellent way to approach food more sustainably. One way to do this is to bring the family together for mealtimes and make eating a special occasion. Sharing a meal with family and preparing food from scratch is an excellent opportunity to eat fresh, organic foods without relying on pre-prepared convenience foods. Going back to basics with a traditional yorkshire pudding recipe accompanied by organic vegetables is a delicious meal packed with nutrients and can be made without generating any plastic waste.
Grow Your Own
One of the easiest ways to introduce sustainable changes to your eating habits is to start growing your own produce. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great idea for many reasons. For starters, growing fresh produce from home means that you will significantly decrease your food miles, reducing your carbon footprint. Cultivating your own veggies also enables you to practice organic farming techniques. Avoiding pesticides and other chemicals during the growing process is good for both your health and the planet. Another advantage of growing your own vegetables is that you will eliminate the waste created by packaging while saving lots of money on your grocery bill at the same time. The positive impact that gardening has on your health and wellbeing is well-documented. Spending time in the fresh air and reconnecting with nature is a great way to boost your mental health. So, there are many reasons why growing your own fruit and vegetables is an excellent idea for yourself and the environment.
Reduce Your Food Waste
Reducing the amount of food you waste is one of the most powerful ways to take a sustainable approach to eating. So much food is wasted every year, and you can probably think of many times when you have thrown away food simply because you forgot to cook it before it spoiled. The good news is that there many ways that you can actively reduce the amount of food that you waste. One of the first steps to take is to only buy what you need. When you see multi-buy offers in the store, it can be tempting to stock up to save money. But, if you are not going to be able to use these items, they are going to end up wasted and thrown in the trash.
If you cannot grow your own fruit and vegetables, it is helpful to buy seasonal produce. Buying produce that is in season should stay ripe for longer, giving you a chance to eat it before it spoils.
As you can see, there are many ways that you can eat more sustainably, each of which has a positive impact on you and the planet.
