Invest In Our Planet
Every year across the world on April 22nd, Earth is celebrated on World Earth Day. The theme for this year is ‘Invest in our Planet’, reminding us of the actions we can take to make a difference. This blog will focus on the foods we eat and simple swaps we could all make towards protecting our environment through opting for a more sustainable diet.
What is a sustainable diet?
A “sustainable diet” encompasses many different elements, with an overarching aim of having a lower environmental impact and a healthier outcome for ourselves and for the environment. (FAO, 2010).
We have compiled a list of achievable tips to eat more sustainable on World Earth Day and beyond:
Buy local produce wherever possible – Farmers markets and local stalls are great for sourcing foods from the area. Think jams, breads, eggs, cheese, meats and baked goods.
Eat seasonally – Check out what foods are available to grown in Ireland and the UK throughout the months of the year, you might be surprised to see some items are available most of the year. Base your meals around foods that are grown close to home, they taste best when they are naturally in season.
Have a meat-free day every week – You can get your protein sources from plant-based foods such as beans, pulses and lentils. Check out our recipe of the month for a protein packed dinner – Spiced Chickpea Burgers.
Avoid plastic packaging – Many fruits and vegetables are sold individually in supermarkets, opt for those loose or packaged using cardboard in place of plastic. Bring your own shopping bag to use on the go.
Use leftovers – To prevent food waste, bring your dinner in for lunch the next day. Clever tips such as adding your Sunday roast chicken to spruce up salads, sandwiches or pasta and transform it into a completely new dish.
Increase variety of the foods you eat – Did you know that ¾ of the world’s food supply comes from 12 plants and 5 animal species? A larger variety in your diet will help to maintain a more sustainable diet.
Grow your own – The pandemic had us all starting our own allotments; however, many have quick forgotten that foods can be grown (and regrown) in small areas. Try out a vegetable patch in the back garden which is great for tossing your sprouting potatoes, tomatoes can flourish on sunny balconies, and hardy herbs will last at your kitchen sink.
Hopefully you have picked up some ideas from our tips above to get your journey to a sustainable diet kick started.