Question

Healthy Planet Eating healthy doesn't only help us to be healthy; it can help our planet as well. The foods we choose to eat can have a significant impact on the environment. How Can We Feed Ourselves Sustainably Please discuss the impact food choices have on the environment; what can be done to decrease the impact; what you can do as a consumer to make environmentally friendly food choices.)

Answer 1

The food choices and preferences affect the health of the people as well as the health of the planet. The future of the planet depends on the foods consumed today. The type and amount of foods we eat have more impact on the planet than the type of car we drive. The greatest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions like meat-rich diet and processed foods will have an adverse effect on the planet. Around 30 per cent of the US greenhouse gas emission is from the typical diet rich in meat and processed foods.

Careful selection and utilization of foods can minimize the adverse effect on the planet. The food choices and the method of consumption determine its impact on the planet.

1. Eat only the needed food

The health of the individual and planet can be ensured by developing a habit of eating enough food to support a healthy weight. The consequences of overweight and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by this method. The other effects of overeating like obesity and lifestyle diseases like coronary heart disease, diabetes and even cancers can be minimized by eating healthy food choices. In order to make sure that, one must only include only the necessary calories in their diet.

2.     Plant-based diet

Minimizing the animal-based foods and including more portions of plant-based foods in diet will reduce your carbon contribution to the earth considerably. The sustainable diet also replaces the red meat with plant-based foods like green leafy vegetables and pulses. By preferring the sustainable diet the unwanted calories and the consumption of saturated fat can be kept at the bay and fibre and essential nutrients intake will be boosted.

For example, the beef patties in the burger can be made using the beef and mushroom mix. Thereby the impact on the environment can be minimized, as mushrooms require only 1.8 gallons of water to produce a pound, but at the same time, nearly 2000 gallons of water is required to produce a pound of beef.

3. Stop food wasting

Recent surveys show that 30-40% of the US food supply is wasted and which makes it the most wasted resources. The decomposition of the discarded food will produce the methane gas which plays a key role in climate change.

By creating a policy of buying only what is needed can minimize the food wastage. Create a grocery list wisely by planning meals ahead and utilizing the leftovers. Replace the fresh produce with frozen or varieties if it is usually spoiled.

  

4.     Consume locally produced

By utilizing more locally produced foods, the use of resources such as fuel, transport and storage can be lowered. This can be done by visiting the farmers market or by joining the Community Supported Agriculture. By supporting the regional farmers the shared goal of both farmers and their local consumers to protect the family farms can be achieved.

5.     Minimize the use of packaged foods

Human health and planet health can be ensured by buying minimally processed foods with less packaging. The limited fossil fuels are utilized to produce and distribute processed foods. Try to buy foods from the fresh produce section of the supermarket.