Environment-Friendly Diet

Finally, human race’s eyes are opening to the fact that the very planet we live on and survive on by resourcing from it, is at a risk. Only we are responsible for this suicidal situation. Whatever we create or do including us is made from the elements of the earth. Once Earth was able to provide ample resources to all of its residents but since we humans started overusing all of its resources, it caused huge imbalance and depletion. As we all know this has put all of us at risk.

Currently, on every level, awareness is being created and efforts are underway to reduce further damage. This situation has also impacted the field of nutrition and given rise to environmentally cautious diet habits.
Actually, the very first severe impact of environment changes is seen in food almost since a few centuries back. We all know that since the quality of soil has decreased, so is the nutritional value of crops. Aside from this, cattle and other animals which are used for human consumption, eat low-quality fodder, further leading to nutrient depletion in animal products. No type of food is saved from the ill effects of these environmental changes. Why is it important to understand this is because of the currently trending ‘eco-friendly’ diet?

Recently this diet trend is viral. Under this so ‘eco-friendly’ diet one consumes more plant-based products and less or no animal products. This claims to save the environment from damage and also help balance the ecosystem. This is based on the research that major greenhouse gases are emitted from animal production. Wherein plant-based products emit lower greenhouse gases.

But here the most important point to note is that mainly greenhouse gases are produced during the processing of these foods. Also soil quality is depleting because of not just animals or certain crops but because of the use of harsh chemicals, pesticides, polluted water, and planting only industrial crops as they yield more price. This topic is very deep and detailed to understand in a single article but what we can understand and adapt for a real, sustainable, and affordable eco-friendly diet is –

• Eat unprocessed foods

• Buy fresh and local

• Promote green farming

• Rely less on industrially produced foods

• Reduce food waste

• Buy fresh and unprocessed animal produce

• Follow other eco-friendly practices to reduce effect on food

Some food swaps you can do to better understand how to change are –

• Healthy foods like nuts and seeds are in high demand so many companies have launched flavored seeds and nuts. Well, this flavoring procedure is industrial so you better buy the raw seeds and flavor them at home before eating.

• Occasional buying of nonlocal vegetables like broccoli, purple cabbage, etc is fine but on a regular basis one should eat local vegetables. Since these nonlocal veggies need more care, and suitable temperature creation since it mostly is different from local temperatures, also growing these is expensive for farmers.

• You will find a variety of ready-to-eat / ready-to-make products in the market avoid buying these as they are processed and their shelf life is increased by various industrial processes which are not natural. Thus all this has also made them less nutritious.