Three easy steps to sustainable eating
Love to eat more sustainably but not sure how to go about it? Here are three easy steps to sustainable eating to help you get started.
Taking steps to eat more sustainably is something we should all be doing. Not only will you be helping out the planet, but eating more consciously often leads to eating better quality food, and even health improvements, making it a win-win situation.
But with so many options out there, knowing where to begin can be daunting. To make it easier for you, here are three simple steps to sustainable eating.
1) Cut down on waste
If you find yourself throwing out a lot of uneaten food that’s past its best, then it’s probably time to take a look at the amount you’re buying.
Throwing away food because you haven’t had the chance to use it is a strong indication that you’re buying too much. This waste food not only means you’re contributing to landfill, but you’re also wasting money. If you discard around a fifth of the food you buy, over a year that can add up to a shocking amount of money.
What’s the solution? Putting a small amount of time into planning your shopping trip can help you to save a lot of money – and food.
So start planning the meals you’ll cook every week and only buy what you need to make these. Try to avoid special offers, unless it’s an item you were planning to buy anyway. It’s only a bargain if you actually need it, and if you don’t, it’s an extra expense that will most likely end up in the rubbish bin.
2) Love local
Taking the time to visit your local farmers’ markets will really help to cut down your food miles (the distance your groceries need to be transported to get to you).
Usually, the store holders who attend regular markets are based locally, and the food they sell has been grown or raised locally too. Not only does this ensure what you buy has been produced close to where you live, but it also means it’s more likely to be in season.
If you don’t have the time to get out to a farmers’ market every week, a local veg box scheme could be just what you need. There are a lot of these schemes all around the country – a quick online search should pull up ones close to you.
These are run by smaller farms, so you can be sure the produce you receive is local and seasonal and delivered right to your doorstep. You can adapt these boxes and delivery schedule to suit your lifestyle, so sustainable produce has never been so easy.
3) Ask for more information
If you find yourself staring at the shelves unsure how to make sustainable decisions, don’t panic! It can seem overwhelming at first, but a little information can go a long way.
If you’re in a supermarket, head to their in-store butchers or fishmongers. This is where you’ll find answers to most of your questions, so you can make the most sustainable choices.
And buying the majority of your fresh produce from your local farmers’ market means you can meet the people who’ve grown it and have the chance to ask any questions you have.
If you want to find out more about eating sustainable, check out The Foodie Guide to Sustainable Cooking.
Photo by Nikos Kavvadas
