Sustainable Eating – How you can help the earth!
Did you know in Australia in 2016 – 17, 7.3 million tonnes of food was wasted? (1)
Unfortunately, our food system here in Australia (like those in other developed countries) is a major contributor to poor environmental health. (1) This shows up in the forms of land degradation, rising greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. (2)
As an individual, you may think that your choices are small and insignificant, but when many individuals make the same choices, it can have a very significant impact. So yes, your very own food choices can quite literally help save the earth.
Another bonus here is that some of the poorest foods for our health are also the poorest for the earth. We are talking about those ultra-processed discretionary foods. They certainly can be delicious, and there is a small place for them in your diet, but eating a diet containing large portions of these foods is unhealthy and unsustainable. (3)
So, how can you eat for the health of yourself and the planet? Here are our best tips:
Eat seasonal produce
- It is more nutritious – Food that is not in season is usually harvested prematurely when the nutrients and taste have not completely developed. This happens to avoid food spoiling during transit. On the other hand, seasonal produce is picked when it is ready to be eaten, meaning it has had the time to fully mature, giving it the best flavour and a greater nutrient profile. (4)
- It is more affordable – This is because it is local and readily available, meaning you are not paying for the process of importation and storage. (4)
- Less environmental impact – If your produce is seasonal, chances are that it is not travelling too far to get to your plate. Imported produce requires transport, storage, refrigeration and packaging, among other things, in order to keep its quality. All of these things require energy and fuel, which are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. (4)
Minimise your food waste
- It’s bad for the environment – Organic waste decaying in landfill produces methane, which is a very strong greenhouse gas. (5) When food is wasted, you are also wasting the water, fuel and energy used to produce that product. (6)
- Try to use up all of your groceries by storing them correctly so that they last longer, and when they look a bit sad, throw them into some of our minestrone soup.
- Collect your vegetable scraps and store them in the freezer. Once you have a good amount boil them up in some water to make vegetable stock.
- Freeze browning bananas to make our yummy banana ice cream. Peel them first (and compost the skins) because trying to peel a whole frozen banana is nearly impossible, then break them into pieces and freeze them in containers.
- Make up some big batches of your favourite meals to freeze and eat later if you won’t be able to use up all of your produce before it spoils.
Eat less meat
- Still eat meat, just less of it – Meat, particularly lean varieties, are a great source of nutrients and serve a very important part within human diets. (7, 8) However, meat consumption has increased significantly since the 1980s, and it is this demand that reinforces unsustainable farming practices which are impacting the environment and contributing to global warming. (7)
- Livestock contributes to 12 – 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, and also increases water pollution and scarcity. (7)
There are many other strategies to aid sustainable eating, such as using reusable bags when buying produce. Just know that any changes you make, small or large, are meaningful and will help to combat climate change. We can do this together!
References
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Tackling Australia’s food waste [internet]. [cited 2021 Aug 16].
- Ridgway EM, Lawrence MA, Woods J. Integrating environmental sustainability considerations into food and nutrition policies: insights from Australia’s national food plan [Internet]. Frontiers Media; 2015 [cited 2021 Aug 16].
- Willett W, Rockstrom J, Loken B, Springmann M, Lang T, Vermeulen S, et al. Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. Lancet [Internet]. 2019 Jan 16 [cited 2021 Aug 16];393(10170):447-492.
- Environment Victoria [internet]. Victoria. Eating Green: Our guide to seasonal food. 2009 Mar 21 [cited 2021 Aug 24]; [about 4 screens].
- United States Environmental Protection Agency [internet]. Washtington. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. [updated 2021 Jul 27; cited 2021 Aug 24]; [about 21 screens].
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Working together to reduce food waste in Australia [Internet]. [cited 2021 Aug 24].
- González N, Marquès M, Nadal M, Domingo JL. Meat consumption: Which are the current global risks? A review of recent (2010-2020) evidence. Food Res Int. 2020 May 29 [cited 2021 Aug 24];137.
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Dietary Guidelines Summary [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2021 Aug 24]. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council.