Eating Sustainably
Our lives are fast paced more than ever before and most of us are using dietary shortcuts, like fast food, to meet our food intake needs. But is that quick stop at the drive-thru going to make your life healthier? And what are the environmental consequences of that food production and the disposal of all the waste left over?
Stop. It seems difficult to do, but you’ll be glad you did. Instead of fast food, take the time to make your lunch at home and take your break in a park outside. Instead of eating pizza in front of the television, have the family make and eat dinner together. Remember, sustainable living is as much about getting the most out of life as it is about living light on the land.
The manufacture of processed and packaged goods is also very energy intensive, so we should instead try to consume whole foods. Nutrition experts also warn us that many manufactured foods are high in simple carbohydrates and other ingredients that are potentially bad for our health. A sustainable diet is one based on healthy foods that will nourish our bodies and renew the environment.
Raising and processing animals for meat is also energy and water intensive. We use well over half of our agricultural land and half of our water to grow feed for agricultural livestock. It would be much more efficient if we just grew food for people, but that would mean a vegetarian diet. There are many who argue that eating meat is unsustainable, especially with a growing world population. In any case, here in the U.S. we consume so much meat on average that it is making us sick. Take a step towards sustainability and try some vegetarian dishes. They’re delicious!
Food Pyramid - The perennial guide to a healthy diet