How to Go Green: Eating

Eating green means purchasing, preparing, eating and disposing of food in ways that are easy and friendly to the environment. By tackling each of these areas and making changes in your lifestyle to become more earth friendly, you will be making a change for the better. Here are some tips to help you become a green eater.

Green Eating Tip #1 - Grocery Bags

Use cloth grocery bags. By using a reusable grocery sack, you are cutting down on the amount of plastic and paper bags that are used and then dumped in landfills. If you choose to use plastic or paper grocery bags, make sure that you recycle them. I also tend to use the few I end up with for things like lining the bathroom garbage can or cleaning up doggy doo.

Green Eating Tip #2 - Go Organic

Organic does not just mean vegetables. You can get organic fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, eggs and even meats. Organic means that the food items were grown and produced in ways that are healthier for both you and the environment. Lack of chemicals in and on your foods means that you will not be putting those chemicals in your body. For more information on what organic means, visit the homepage for USDA Organics. Purchase as many items that are marked organic as you can afford. There are snacks, crackers, packaged meals and even wines that are organic!

Green Eating Tip #3 - Cut Back on Meat

It takes more resources to produce meat than it does any other food item. Huge amounts of grains, water and land are necessary to raise meat producing animals. There are also concerns with pollution of the air, water and soil as a result of meat production. By cutting back on meat in your diet, you reduce the amount of resources used and the amount of pollution produced by this industry. Even eating one meat free meal a week makes a difference. Choosing a flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan lifestyle is one of the greenest choices that anyone can make.

Green Eating Tip #4 - Go Local

When you buy a vegetable that was grown in another country or even just two states away from you, you are not just paying for the cost of the vegetable, you are also paying for the transportation to get that vegetable to you. Not only that, but the resources necessary to transport that vegetable to you are impacting the environment. By purchasing local grown food items, you are cutting down on the transportation needed. Buying local also lessens the need for excess packaging, refrigeration and marketing. The cost is less for both you and for the environment. Look for Farmer's Markets or Pick Your Own farms in your area.

Green Eating Tip #5 - Grow It Yourself

Even if you live in apartment, you can still grow a window full of vegetables. Every item that you can grow on your own reduces the amount you have to purchase. It also allows you to have complete control over what chemicals might be used on your food.

Green Eating Tip #6 - Watch the Packaging

Look for items that are sold in bulk or with minimal packaging. Buying organic foods in three layers of packaging doesn't make too much sense. Look for packaging that is recycled and recyclable.

Green Eating Tip #7 - Eat Less Conveniently

Convenience foods are usually full of chemicals and preservatives. Many of these foods are produced in ways that cause environmental damage. They are also usually packaged in ways that are not Earth friendly. Buy whole foods and foods that are in their raw forms. Cook from scratch for a healthier meal.

Green Eating Tip #8 - Process Less

The more foods are processed, the less healthy they are. Buying and eating raw foods is healthier both for you and the environment. The less that has to be done to a food before it reaches the grocery store, the less impact it has on the environment. The less you do to a food before you consume it, the more vitamins and goodness you get from it.

Green Eating Tip #9 - Leftovers

Cook just enough. Throwing away leftovers or food that goes bad before it is eaten is a waste. The effort and resources that went into producing that food are now lost. Try to keep in mind how much you really need before you purchase or cook foods.

Green Eating Tip #10 - Composting

If you do have leftovers or food waste, compost them! This eases the amount of waste in the landfills and keeps your garbage from smelling. It also helps with your own organic farming efforts by giving you a wonderful fertilizer.

Sources:

Personal Experience

http://www.eatingwell.com/news_views/green/eating_green.html

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateA&navID=NationalOrganicProgram&leftNav=NationalOrganicProgram&page=NOPNationalOrganicProgramHome&acct=nop