3 Easy Ways for Everyone to Start Eating Green

What is green eating?

Green eating is not just a diet, it’s a way of life.  Green eating is about eating whole, nutritious, minimally-processed food that is healthy for our body and our planet.  Eating green is better for our health.  It is more sustainable as it reduces consumption of fuel and global warming.  It also helps the local environment.

1.Minimize meat

Meat production is a substantial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.  It generates 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to a study conducted by Food and Agriculture Organization in 2006.  Meat production requires more land, water, food and energy than crops and also causes air and water pollution.

However, it does not mean that you have to become a vegetarian or vegan.  You might just want to eat them less often or in smaller portions.  In other words, you may treat meat more as a condiment rather than a main dish. Picking non-meat proteins such as nuts and legumes is a great alternative for you to boost your protein intake while avoiding the intakes of antibiotics, growth hormones and chemicals from meat consumption to your body.

2.Go Organic

How the food is grown or raised can have a major impact on your physical, mental and emotional health as well as the environment.  Conventional farming depends highly on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers which can pollute soil and waterways, damaging local ecosystems, not to mention its detrimental effects to human health in the long run.  Organic foods, on the other hands, are not genetically modified, free from harmful chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides.  Organic foods definitely help lowering risks to your body and the environment.

3.Eat locally and seasonally

Choosing locally-grown produce and eating with the seasons allow you to eat produce that is fresher, closer to ripeness and tastier as it does not have to travel far.  It is also a better choice for the environment as it helps reducing packaging, refrigeration and transportation.  Basically, produce at a farmers’ market is in season.  If you are unable to get to the farmer’s market, you can still make an effort to purchase local produce at grocery stores.

Here are some examples of organic local fruits and vegetables: Organic banana, Organic cucumber, Organic long bean, Organic Choy Sum, Organic ladies finger.