How conscious are you about the foods you eat?
Back in 2021, when a survey was run in the UK 38% percent of participants said they'd purchase locally sourced food and drink.
The truth is, that's a low figure and just a small sample size, there's probably a lot less people eating consciously. When we say conscious, we're looking at the
agriculture and the way we eat food.
Sustainable eating means choosing foods that are good for our bodies and the environment. It also means that the food grown and processed does not harm the environment or compromise its ability to meet the needs of future generations.
But how do you eat sustainably?
Sustainable farming
Sustainable farming is a broad term for growing food using techniques that take into account ecological cycles. It is also susceptible to microorganisms and their interactions with its surroundings. In simpler terms, sustainable farming is a method of growing crops that will nurture our environment, economy, and society.
Sustainable farming is critical because it solves the problems caused by the current food-growing methods. According to the 2019 EAT-Lancet commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems, a global shift toward more plant-based foods would help feed the world's growing population a nutritious and sustainable diet.
Effect of food consumption on the planet over the years
Our food consumption practices are among the essential factors of land degradation. Water scarcity has been the most prominent trigger of the unfolding effect on the planet. Due to soil erosion and desertification, the practice reduces land productivity.
Because of the effects on the planet, human health is also at risk. This is due to a lack of sustainable agricultural practices. Water pollution from non-organic fertilisers, high-risk pesticides, and dust storms caused by desertification poses a significant risk to human health.
The following visualisation provides a summary of some of the significant global effects of your food consumption practices:
- 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions
- 5% of global habitable land
- 70% of global freshwater withdrawals
- 78% of the global ocean and freshwater pollution
- 94% mammal biomass
Sustainable agricultural operations can help preserve and restore critical habitats, protect watersheds, and improve soil health and water quality.
Food wastage
If you have a habit of leaving food for the bin, that's counted as food waste. Many factors contribute to the wastage of food. The U.K disposes of 9.5 billion tonnes of food each year.
Food wastage is also an environmental concern because when you waste food, you also destroy all the energy and water it takes to grow, harvest, and transport. Food waste also heavily contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases. To stop the wastage of food, it's vital to bring changes in every stage through sustainable eating.
Growing food at home
You have complete control over the entire process of growing your food at home, from seed selection to soil and pest management to harvesting. It is also an excellent way to avoid ingesting harmful chemicals used in crop production and processing.
Growing food also reduces the need for food to be transported over long distances in vehicles that emit greenhouse gases into the environment. Growing your food, however, does not need a large plot of land. You can use a small area of your home, such as your balcony, to grow tomatoes, onions, herbs, and other vegetables.
Prolonging food shelf life tips
Prolonging food shelf life is the best practice to follow at home. It not only extends the shelf-life but also keeps your food safe from contamination and prevents food wastage. Here is the classification of food based on perishability.
Preshiable foods:
Perishable food is those that spoil quickly if not refrigerated on time. This food usually includes eggs, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and cooked food. If you store them in a refrigerator, they are good to eat within 3-7 days.
Semi- perishable foods:
Semi-perishable foods are that food that doesn't require refrigeration but can have a short shelf life. But it can also last up to 6 months, depending upon how you preserve them. To preserve things like spices, dry fruits and grain products should be kept in airtight containers.
Non-perishable foods:
Non-perishable foods include that food that doesn't need immediate refrigeration and can last for a year. This includes canned foods, spices, and lentils. They should be kept away from water to preserve them for an extended period.
Myths around best-before dates
Another myth is that you can't eat eggs or drink milk after their carton date. But both eggs and milk are safe to consume for up to two weeks after their best before date. You can eat or even buy foods after their best before dates. There are hundreds of myths about best-before dates. Just trust your senses and smell the food before eating it.
Practices for increasing sustainable eating in the home
Minimise meat intake: A healthy eating habit already suggests reducing red meat; however, another reason for avoiding meat is that meat production is a substantial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Eat more plants: Filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables is already recommended as part of a healthy diet. Plants and fruits in your diet will help reduce freshwater withdrawals and deforestation. This trick is excellent for our health as well as the environment.
Eat mindfully: Mindful eating is one of the simplest things you can do to eat more plants. Concentrating on what you eat allows you to consider where your food comes from and how it nourishes your body.
Try other seafood: Fish is undoubtedly a healthy choice to eat, but some species are at risk of overfishing. For sustainable eating, it is essential to consider trying some new seafood.