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Last Updated on June 26, 2023
As the effects of climate change, global warming, and overconsumption become more pronounced, it is essential that we make eco-conscious decisions when choosing what to eat. Eating for the planet has never been as critical – we have to consider that sustainable eating is not only beneficial for our health, but for the planet as well.
Let’s learn how planetary health diets can help protect our planet from further destruction by reducing carbon emissions and conserving resources.
How do eating habits impact the planet?
Every year, 1.4 billion hectares of land – 28 percent of the world’s agricultural area – are used to produce food that is lost or wasted. The carbon footprint of this food waste is estimated to be 3.3 billion tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere annually.
In short, we are eating our planet.
The impact of our diets on our planet is not limited to the waste of resources. Eating habits have numerous consequences, including:
- Loss of biodiversity,
- Climate change,
- Deforestation,
- Excessive water consumption,
- And greenhouse gas emissions.
The use of pesticides and fertilizers results in the pollution of water bodies as a result. Additionally, agriculture is responsible for around 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. Moreover, the effects of eating habits on the environment are expected to increase exponentially as the world population increases.
Let’s get into details.
How does your diet affect the health and future of our planet?
Eating animal-based foods, such as red meat and dairy, or farmed shrimp can contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to the loss of carbon-storing trees when grasslands are created for grazing animals, and the methane they emit while digesting food sources like plants and grasses on pastures.
Despite this, the problem does not only relate to red meat consumption. As an example, avocados are produced using a large amount of water.
There is no doubt that businesses and governments need to adopt a more sustainable food system. Nevertheless, you should not underestimate the effect that your individual decisions have on the environment. Let’s see what you can do for our planet.
Plate and the planet: how can you eat for the planet?
With a planetary health diet, for instance, you can reduce the negative effects of the food industry on the world while protecting your health at the same time.
Choosing to buy locally can be an incredible way of reducing energy consumption and pollution. It is particularly important for food that needs to travel long distances by plane, so focus on local options instead. You can help reduce waste by being mindful of the food you buy and eat. Additionally, planning your meals ahead of time can help you waste less food.
Then get your family and friends involved in reducing food waste – it’s a community effort. Some of the things you can do for planetary health include:
- Drink filtered water instead of bottled water,
- Eat organic foods to avoid pesticides and other harmful chemicals,
- Grow your local fruits and vegetables to reduce the amount of food that needs to be transported,
- Finally don’t forget composting – an easy way to dispose responsibly while closing the loop on organics recycling.
Main foods to avoid
- Processed foods: These foods are often packaged in single-use plastics that end up in landfills or the ocean. In addition to the environmental damage caused by their production and packaging, processed foods also require a great deal of energy and water to produce.
- Red meat: The production of red meat requires a great deal of land, water, and energy, and results in a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Dairy: The dairy industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, due to the methane emitted by cows and the energy required to produce milk and other dairy products. Dairy products are also often packaged in single-use plastics, which end up in landfills or the ocean.
- Seafood: Overfishing is a major problem in many parts of the world, as it can lead to species extinction and ecosystem collapse. In addition, seafood farming often involves harmful practices such as fish farming, which can pollute waterways and damage local ecosystems.
If you want to practice sustainable eating, consider choosing seafood that has been sustainably sourced. Taking conscious steps like these are invaluable ways that we as citizens of this Earth can protect its precious resources and help ensure our futures remain bright.
Can intermittent fasting help with planet-friendly eating?
Practicing intermittent fasting is an excellent way for cultivating mindfulness and can help rewire your relationship with eating. It makes it easier to exercise control when faced with cravings and resist mindless overconsumption of foods. With a fasting period, you are also able to savor every bite more intensely as hunger dissipates after breaking the fast. It encourages mindful experiences around food without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
Key takeaways
- Our eating habits have several consequences on the environment, including loss of biodiversity, climate change, deforestation, and more.
- You can help reduce waste by being mindful of the food you buy and eat, as well as planning your meals ahead of time.
- A planetary health diet is characterized by the avoidance of processed foods, red meat, dairy, and seafood.
- Practicing intermittent fasting can help control cravings and resist mindless consumption, while also encouraging mindful experiences around food.
With climate change, and depleting resources due to overconsumption, we need to make sure that our diets don’t contribute to the further destruction of our planet. Eating for the planet means selecting foods that are produced ethically and don’t have a huge negative impact on the Earth.
This mindfulness encourages thinking about everything from what type of food you buy/eat all the way through to who supplies it. By becoming conscious of your food choices, you can help reduce carbon emissions and lessen the strain on our planet’s finite resources.
