Fortunately, nowadays, you can achieve a sustainable and healthy diet without sacrificing the essential elements that your body requires by including plant-based foods, cutting down on food waste, and selecting locally produced goods.
Here, let’s delve into ways to create a sustainable and healthier diet without compromising on essential nutrients.
1. Reduce the usage of refined foods to the extent possible
Refined & processed foods are low in nutrients and contribute more in carbs and calories. They also contain added sugars, additives, preservatives etc in order to improve taste and extend shelf life. It may not be possible to completely avoid refined foods, however make conscious efforts to reduce them. Shift from White rice to brown / red rice, reduce deep frying with refined oils and choose low heat cooking with cold pressed oils etc. These small changes can go a long way in reducing your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart problems etc.
2. Embrace a predominant plant-based food
Shifting towards a more plant-based diet is not just an eco-friendly choice; it’s a step towards better health. Plant-based diets emphasise on foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains which provide various essential nutrients & fibre. Predominant meat based diets lack fibre and can lead to gastrointestinal problems like constipation. Avoid or reduce consuming fruit juices and eat the fruit instead, whenever possible.
3. Locally sourced food
Buying locally sourced food is among the best methods to incorporate more sustainable foods into your diet. Purchasing food that is produced closer to home lowers the carbon footprint that comes with storage and transportation. Purchasing locally not only boosts the local economy and supports farmers, but it also reduces the amount of transportation required to get the food to your plate. Furthermore, foods from the area are frequently fresher and include more nutrients. Thus, choosing food that is supplied locally is crucial to creating a more sustainable and healthy diet.
4. Seasonal food
Choosing seasonal or organic food is one of the easiest ways to eat sustainably. Seasonal produce is a tasty and nutrient-dense option for your diet because it is typically fresher and more flavorful. You can enjoy a wide range of delectable and nutrient-rich selections while also helping to create a more sustainable food system by including these options in your diet.