If you’re following Sir David Attenborough on Instagram, or have watched his latest documentary, David Attenborough: A life on our Planet, it's likely you're more conscious than ever of the impact we are having on the planet. While we were all already aware of the devastation our wasteful and consumerist ways of living are having on the planet, Sir David's messages are more poignant than ever, as he details the destruction he has witnessed over his 94 years.
You might also be familiar with Metronome's digital clock in Manhattan, NYC. A clock which has hauntingly been programmed to count us down through a critical time window before the effects of global warming becomes irreversible.
The good news is, there is time. And there are small habits we can each adopt to make our ways of living more sustainable and less destructive on the planet. While one individual’s eating habits probably won't hold much significance, the compound effect and impact on larger corporations is hugely significant.
Here are some simple and sustainable eating habits you can adopt today to help you shape a more sustainable lifestyle that is kinder to the planet, and your body.
Eat more plants
This is such a simple hack, yet if we all just made this one little change, the benefits to the planet would be huge. The healthy eating plate suggests filling half of your plate with vegetables, to naturally increase the amount of plants you eat, help reduce deforestation and even freshwater withdrawals.
But when we say plant, we’re not just talking about your leafy greens. Meals can be based around high protein nuts and beans too, which also fall into the plant category and pack a whole load of nutrition with them.
Nuts are packed with healthy mono and polyunsaturated plant oils as well as protein. Legumes, which include beans, are filling and also contain lean protein. So they really are a great substitute for meat. Which brings us to our next habit…
Eat less meat
For you meat lovers, don’t panic. We’re not saying you need to transition to full-on veganism to protect the planet, but just a cut in our meat consumption, especially if you usually eat it every day, can bring vast benefits to the sustainability of the planet. Not only does research show that eating less meat can cut your risk of death from heart disease and stroke but there's also some fabulously delicious vegetarian recipes you can experiment with to broaden your palette.
Waste less food
The average household wastes around 30% of food every year. Only buy what you need! Your pocket will thank you, and so will the planet.
Shop locally
By sourcing your groceries locally, either from local grocery stores or farmers markets, you’re already reducing your carbon footprint and impact on the planet. But it also means the food is fresher, as it hasn’t lost out on vital vitamins and nutrients during transportation. Again, better for your health and better for the planet.
Steer clear of excess packaging
Opt for fresh fruit and veg that comes without the plastic. While you may have a strict recycling system at home, excess packaging is often made from unsustainable, un- recyclable materials which ends up in landfills rather than being re-purposed. Keep in mind when shopping that you choose fresher foods with minimal packaging. Farmers markets and local grocers will tend to use less than the big dogs, and the food will tend to be fresher too - it's a win-win!
If you’ve landed on this blog, it’s likely, you’re interested in adopting a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle, whether for your own health or the health of the planet. Follow us on instagram for more tips and tricks on how to look after your health, and the planet's!