The foods we eat come from many different sources. Unfortunately, some of these foods can actually be bad for the environment. Endless gallons of water are used for the production of foods like beef and lamb. Soybean plantations are responsible for the release of millions of tons of carbon dioxide. Even the production of corn uses excessive amounts of fossil fuel. Foods such as palm oil, chocolate, salmon, eggs, and cheese are also known to be environmentally destructive.
The best way to ensure that your diet is as eco-friendly as possible is to know where your food comes from. Processed and factory-produced foods are more than likely not very good for the planet. Buying local produce is a good way to ensure that your food hasn’t been transported across the country. Shopping for organic foods can also help you make a difference. Below are some of the most environmentally friendly foods that you can feel good about consuming.
Almond Milk
Dairy-free and delicious, almond milk is made with natural additives like carrageenan, which is sourced in Asia and Africa and requires no fresh water, fertilizers, or pesticides. This natural additive is extracted from red seaweed and also absorbs greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Other foods that contain this thickener include ice cream, baby formula, and yogurt. When selecting foods like yogurt, you want to make sure they are made with eco-friendly ingredients like red seaweed extract and packaged using a minimal amount of plastic.
Peanuts
Peanuts may be high in protein, but their carbon footprint is low. They naturally enrich the soil they grow in with nitrogen and use significantly less fertilizer than crops like corn. In addition, they don’t emit much carbon emissions. Peanut butter, on the other hand, is usually highly processed and doesn’t classify as an eco-friendly food.
Beans
Much like peanuts, beans are an excellent source of protein and don’t contribute very much carbon dioxide to the environment. Buying beans that are dry instead of canned is the best way to prevent the consumption of BPA (which is often found in cans).
Tomatoes
When grown locally, tomatoes are extremely eco-friendly. In addition to having low greenhouse gas emissions, tomatoes grow deep roots that absorb moisture and don’t need excessive amounts of water to grow in the hotter months.
Lentils
Not only are lentils an affordable and nutrient-dense superfood, they have an impressively low carbon footprint. They also require very little water to grow. Lentils are even commonly used to fortify and clean soil so that other crops can easily grow.
Figs
It’s no secret that figs are a nutritious food source for humans, but they also act as an important source of food for many animals. Growing year-round, figs are an essential part of our ecosystem and help keep other organisms alive.
Fair Trade Coffee
Although many types of coffee and tea are produced in unethical and unsustainable ways, fair trade coffee and tea is good for not only the environment, but also the workers who make it. Fair trade products typically refrain from using toxic and harmful chemicals and use as little amount of water as possible. They also use irrigation practices to enhance the soil and deploy crop rotation.
Potatoes
Potatoes generate natural fungicides and pesticides, which helps the environment by reducing the need for chemicals. They also require minimal amounts of water and don’t go bad as quickly as many other vegetables.
Even though much of our food available in supermarkets is bad for the environment, it is possible to sustain yourself on an eco-friendly diet that you can feel good about. Avoiding heavily processed foods and buying locally and organically when possible is a good way to reduce your carbon footprint. It is also important to stay away from products that use excessive amounts of plastic, aluminum, and paper packaging.
