Eating For The Planet- 4 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

 

Want to reduce your carbon footprint? You have an opportunity to support the environment any time you enjoy a meal! Here are four simple tips you can put into play this week.

 

1. Reduce your meat and dairy intake and replace with plant-based proteins like beans and nuts. Animal agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gasses, so this is one of the greatest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Even one day a week of complete vegetarian fare can make a difference. It’s a perfect time of year for a veggie burger! Lentils, in particular, are the lowest greenhouse gas contributors. Make a lentil dal, pate, salad, or, even, yes, chocolate lentil muffins. 

2. Support eco-friendly and more sustainable and regenerative farming practices by buying local or organically grown when possible.  Strong research shows that pesticides and fertilizers can have damaging effects on soil healthy, surrounding eco-systems and our water supply.  If accessible, visit a Farmer’s Market in your neighborhood or seek out the “organic” sign on foods at your grocery store.  It may cost a few extra bucks, but the money you save from eating less meat may help to cover some of that.

3. Consume your beverages in reusable cups, mugs, and bottles. Americans throw away millions of paper cups and plastic bottles yearly which means more trees cut down,  gallons of water wasted and more garbage generated.  Purchase a festive refillable container for staying hydrated on the go, and next time you head to your local coffee shop or plan for leftovers at a restaurant, bring your own container.  You might just save a dime here and there. Whenever possible, recycle.

4. Compost your food scraps! Close to 1/3 of our food supply is being wasted every year which contributes to 8% of all Greenhouse gases. You can avoid food waste from happening in the first place simply by buying less and putting less on your plate.  If you do have unwanted leftovers or there’s an unidentifiable “something” lurking in the fridge, find a compost bin to toss it in.  If the food is just potentially “on its way out”  aesthetically. but still perfectly edible, toss into a soup or smoothie and…blend.  No one will know, not even you.  Feel free to start somewhere easy and simple.

 

Your food choices matter.  Mother Earth tips her hat to you in gratitude.

 Curious about our free “Quick Start Guide” to help you maximize your health potential?  Download here!

 

4 Comments

  1. May Shelton

    Thanks for this list. If we all carried out these 4 pretty easy things, we could really make a difference. I’m transitioning my family to at least 3 vegetarian meals a week and so far so good…while I can’t always afford to buy organic produce, I like to wash with a vinegar and citrus spray to help reduce pesticide residues.

    Reply
    • Mary Purdy RD

      You are AMAZING! Thank you so much for helping out by going more vegetarian. That really does make a difference. And awesome way to reduce pesticides when you can’t always buy organic. Lots of people are in your boat. Thanks again! – Mary

      Reply
  2. Lilly Brooklyn

    Hi!
    I was looking for such a post. I get into your post which is so amazing. I was trying to avoid meat but did not know the right direction. You have explained all that amazing. From now, I am going to increase my intake of vegetables. Thanks a lot for sharing such an informational blog.

    Reply
    • Mary Purdy RD

      hi Lilly, So glad to hear you enjoyed the diet. Changing your diet can be exciting and challenging. If you are interested learning more about how to eat sustainably, I host a podcast called “The Nutrition Show” where I dive into the relationship between personal and planetary health. You can also follow me Instagram at @marypurdyrd

      Best wishes to you,
      Mary

      Reply

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MARY PURDY, RD, INTEGRATIVE & ECO-CONSCIOUS REGISTERED DIETITIAN

First things first: I love chocolate. I love kale. And I consume them both regularly, but generally not at the same time (although, ask me about my chocolate, berry & kale smoothie!) I also love helping people find easy ways make their body, mind, and life better while also making eco-friendly choices that support the health of our planet.

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