Playing an active part in the battle to save our planet as we face environmental uncertainty isn’t always obvious or easy. Family and time pressures can leave us feeling overwhelmed and unable to make a personal contribution to the fight to stave off what scientists believe is an impending global catastrophe.
…why going meat-free for even one day a week can help
Playing an active part in the battle to save our planet as we face environmental uncertainty isn’t always obvious or easy.
Family and time pressures can leave us feeling overwhelmed and unable to make a personal contribution to the fight to stave off what scientists believe is an impending global catastrophe.
Yet by making changes to what we put on our plates each day we can all easily take small steps to making a difference and influencing the fate of our world.
The rise of veganism and a range of meat-free diets that can support our health and the environment have been around for a long time.
What is new is that we now know there is a link between what we eat and how it affects the health of Planet Earth.
A sustainable diet is one which will lower your environmental footprint through the food that you put on your plate each day.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations a sustainable diet is one “with low environmental impacts which contribute to food and nutrition security and to healthy life for present and future generations”.
“Sustainable diets are protective and respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems, culturally acceptable, accessible, economically fair and affordable; nutritionally adequate, safe and healthy while optimising natural and human resources.”
Put simply, a sustainable diet supports our natural world by considering our wellbeing, the working conditions of those in the food industry and the reduction and minimal use of pesticides and how land is managed.
But what does a sustainable diet look like in practice?
HERE ARE OUR FIVE TIPS TO TILTING THE BALANCE TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE DIET:
COOK FROM SCRATCH: By using fresh and healthy pulses, beans, and whole foods you can cut out processed meals. Cooking at home reduces the resources and labour required when we choose fast food or take-aways.
CHOOSE PLANT PROTEIN: Gradually cut down the amount of animal protein in your diet and choose plant-based alternatives. For sustainability purposes, experts recommend eating at least 125 grams of dry beans, lentils, peas, legumes, or nuts per day and no more than one serving of dairy and a single serving of poultry, fish, eggs, or red meat per day.
REDUCE FOOD WASTE: In some countries up to 40% of food is simply thrown away. Making the most of the food we have before it spoils is essential. We should also aim to use as much of our food in cooking as possible, use the scraps and eat leftovers. Sound old-fashioned? Maybe it is, but it is also a sustainable approach to eating.
MORE PLANTS, LESS MEAT: Nuts, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit should become the mainstays of our diet.
For tips and advice about going meat-free one day a week please visit www.meatfreemondays.com
Source: grapetree.co.uk To highlight January as a Meat-Free month, the latest issue of the Grape Tree newsletter features John Bishop’s Vegan Burger recipe along with hints and tips for how to eat more sustainability. Pick up a copy in store.