BK - corporate (sustainability) How to eat more sustainably
People are becoming more and more aware of what they put on their plates. Consumers are looking beyond healthy eating and looking deeper into what goes into food production. It can be hard to know where to begin when seeking to adopt a more sustainable diet. The BentallGreenOak Residential Services team wants to share some tips for how to eat more sustainably.
EAT MORE PLANTS
The Healthy Eating Plate suggest that about half of what we eat should come from plants. When you plan your meals around plants, rather than making them a simple side dish or after thought, you're well on your way to eating more sustainably. This can mean more salads or vegetable-based pastas, rice dishes or stews, but also more beans, legumes and nuts as your main protein sources. Eating more plant-based helps reduce water consumption and the deforestation associated with raising livestock.
EAT LESS MEAT
In addition to the land and water required to raise livestock, meat production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The energy required to feed, water and transport livestock, as well as the land required to raise livestock, makes it an unsustainable choice for daily consumption. Try thinking of meat as more of a condiment than a main course.
EAT ALL THE COLOURS
People tend to focus on flavour, rather than colour, when they are planning their meals. When we eat foods that come in a wide variety of naturally occurring colours, we ensure a more nutritious and varied diet. Think orange from carrots and sweet potatoes, purple from beets, as well as lots of shades of green. It's time to banish plates of beige chicken, rice and bread and expand your palette to entice your palate.
CHOOSE LOCAL
Shopping at local farmers markets is a great way to get fresh local food as well as get to know the producers of your food and learn what goes into getting the food to you. During the winter, check the labels in the supermarket to see how far your food has had to travel.
CLEAN YOUR PLATE
The average home wastes 30% of the food it buys. Imagine throwing away 30 cents from every dollar you earned. Try putting less on your plate in the first place, you can always help yourself to seconds later.
BentallGreenOak wishes you bon appetit in your pursuit of a more sustainable diet.
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