Eat With the Environment In Mind
Eat With the Environment In Mind
March is National Nutrition Month®.
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the professional association to which I belong as a registered dietitian nutritionist).
Each year, part of this campaign (and always) is to help consumers make informed food choices and develop healthy eating and physical activity habits.
This year's theme (2023), "Fuel for the Future," highlights the importance of fueling our bodies at every age and eating with the environment in mind.
Practice gratitude for your body by giving it the fuel it needs with sustainable foods!
To kick off National Nutrition Month®, eat with the environment in mind.
It would be great to do it with every meal – but not everyone thinks about this.
So here are five tips to help you eat with the environment in mind.
Enjoy more plant-based meals and snacks.
You don't have to go vegetarian or vegan. Flexitarian is an option – choosing not to eat meat or consciously choosing it less often.
Even "meat eaters" should have a diet or eating pattern based on plants. For example, consider a meal of a burger and fries – several items on that plate are plant-based foods (the bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and potatoes).
Purchase foods with minimal packaging.
Even if you recycle the packaging – consider the phrase reduce, reuse, and recycle starts with REDUCE.
Even if you recycle the packaging – consider the phrase reduce, reuse, and recycle starts with REDUCE.
When buying produce, do you need them in separate bags? No usually.
When buying foods, are there bulk options available?
Of course, some foods need packaging – try buying milk without a package.
See if there are options with minimal packaging.
Buy foods in season and shop locally when possible.
Are you looking for pumpkin or squash in the late winter?
Cranberries in the summer?
Watermelon in November?
There is a reason that cranberries are associated with the late-in-the-year holidays, and watermelon is associated with summer.
Check for local growers' markets on the weekends in your area.
And if you insist on organic, consider that your local grower may grow their food organically but cannot afford the official certifications. So, ask them before passing them by.
Growing some herbs in your kitchen or patio is a start.
Start a container or backyard garden to grow food at home.
Only some people have the space for a backyard garden. But they may have room for a container garden.
Grow herbs, tomatoes, and even lettuce in your kitchen or patio.
Be sure to eat canned or frozen foods.
Many people say, "fresh is best," but is it?
Not necessarily.
Canned and frozen foods, like fruits and vegetables, were fresh when canned or frozen. So, their nutritional value is still there.
If you are concerned about added sodium and added sugars? Drain those canned items.
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I can help you with your nutrient needs throughout life since they change throughout life, and give you personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals. Let’s talk about it. Schedule a free introductory call today.
