Herbs, Citrus, And Seasonings: More Tips For A Sustainable Diet
Eating a sustainable diet is key for both your health and the health of the planet. In a previous article, we’re already shared some of the most common tips to create a diet that is environmentally friendly.
Plant-based foods are central to sustainability. Unlike animal products, they have a low carbon footprint, which can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. You will also find it easier to focus on local and organic products when a vast majority of your diet is plant-based. Finally, minimizing food waste is more manageable with plant-based leftovers or ingredients, as these are left likely to go bad as fast as animal products. Additionally, they can also be used in a compost bin, which can help your ingredient go further for sustainability.
If you are already implementing these tips and are looking for more sustainable options, here are some new ideas for you.
Grow your own ingredients
This may be easier said than done, especially if you don’t have a backyard you can use to harvest fresh fruits and vegetables. In the United States, approximately 1 in 8 inhabitants live in an apartment. And it is fair to say that growing your own food may feel like an impossible challenge.
But in reality, you don’t need a field to make it work. You can grow potted plants in your home. This may not be a vegetable patch, but there’s still a lot you can do. For instance, you can grow kitchen herbs such as basil, cilantro, mint, or sage indoors. These will not only smell gorgeous in your kitchen, but they can also influence your cooking. You’re more likely to crave healthier meals when you are surrounded by fresh smells.
You can also grow a small potted citrus tree as a houseplant. Lemons or limes are a great addition to your cooking!
Make your own sauces
Did you know that store-bought sauces can affect your sustainable diet? Indeed, many are manufactured in a non-environmentally friendly environment, combining plastic packaging, long-distance travel, and high industrialization. All these elements will inevitably increase your environmental footprint.
It would be a lot more effective to make your sauces, from a fresh cilantro lime crema to a tasty salad dressing. There are many benefits to using homemade sauces when it comes to sustainability. First of all, you can control exactly which ingredients you’re using. This means you can make your seasoning with organic and local ingredients. Secondly, if you make the dressing on the day, there’s no need for plastic packaging.
Another idea for your leftovers
Managing your leftovers is essential to maintaining a sustainable diet. When you spend more time cooking, you’re less likely to buy foods you don’t need. Indeed, you get a better sense of how much you should buy. But things don’t always go as planned. So, if you find yourself with extra ingredients that are at risk of going bad, here’s a new sustainable idea to make the most of them: Fill the community fridge. Community fridges are now more vital than ever as the costs of living are increasing. This is a fantastic way to extend your sustainable diet to the rest of your community and help someone in need.
Are you ready to make your diet more sustainable? Looking after the planet starts with each of us. Your diet can make a difference.
This is a collaborative post.
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