How are sustainability, food and nutrition linked?
A complex term, the basic concept of sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the world’s current population, without depleting resources and endangering the planet for future generations.
For humanity to survive, the rate at which we are consuming items—such as food and water—needs to change. The responsibility of living more sustainably falls on each individual, as well as larger corporations and manufacturers, and even small sustainable choices can make a significant difference to the world around us.
What is sustainable nutrition and food?
The interest in sustainable, environmentally friendly eating habits has grown exponentially in the past few years, with a new term emerging to describe those who base their dietary decisions on environmental impact: the ‘climatarian.’ Sustainable nutrition not only aims to reduce the environmental impact of our diet but also promotes food and nutrition security for the future. A ‘planetary-focused diet’ consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated oils, a small amount of seafood and poultry, and little to no meat, added sugar, refined grains, and starchy vegetables.
Why is sustainable food and cooking important?
Eating a more sustainable diet can improve the environment, your health, and even save you money. The world’s resources have changed dramatically in the past century, particularly due to the global food production system. A study by Harvard University found that food production contributes to approximately 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with almost half of that a direct result of the livestock sector. Agriculture also occupies almost 40% of global land, and farming practices over the years have irreparably changed many geological features, such as the courses of rivers or the depletion of natural lakes.
In addition to the health of the planet, cultivating a more sustainable diet is beneficial for your well-being. Organic farming is a production system that avoids the use of synthetic and harmful pesticides, fertilizers, growth regulators, and livestock feed additives. When used in food production, these chemicals are directly consumed by humans in the food that we eat, as well as entering into the food chain through agricultural runoff into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
An additional benefit to eating more sustainably is that it can save you money. Often, procuring locally-grown food is cheaper than expected as the supply chain costs are not passed down to the consumer. Furthermore, without the various logistics involved in large-scale food transportation, the proceeds often go directly to the farmers themselves.
Sustainable practices to implement in your daily life
Buy Local
Locally grown food is often fresher, has a lower environmental impact, and supports community economies; you can find locally grown food at nearby farmer’s markets or grocery stores. Another great option is supporting a Community-Supported Agriculture program (CSA), which connects individuals to local farms and producers—often delivering fresh produce to your door.
Eat less meat and more vegetables
Commercially raised meat and poultry has a major environmental impact, as livestock farming contributes to pollution by using fossil fuels, producing animal methane and waste, and depending on vast amounts of water and land. To make a positive sustainable impact, you do not have to become a vegan or vegetarian, but implementing small changes (such as Meatless Monday,) can make a significant difference.
Eat seasonally
Fruits and vegetables that are in season typically are fresher and taste better than the same fruits and vegetables grown and consumed out of season. In-season produce that is grown locally travels less distance to get to your grocery store, and is allowed to ripen before being harvested, so you get the freshest and most nutritious option. Produce grown locally, and in its natural weather and climate, is a much more sustainable option. A great resource for finding out more about this is www.seasonalfoodguide.org. Buying in season may also save you money, as in-season product oftentimes is less expensive as there is less of a means of procurement, travel, and storage at that time.
Choose grass-fed, no-antibiotic meat and poultry
Livestock that is grass-fed is better for the animal, the planet, and for you. The movement of livestock between pastures promotes healthy soil and limits the amount of man-made food that is needed to sustain the livestock. Grass-fed, non-antibiotic meat also contains higher levels of nutrients and less fat.
Educate yourself on fishing practices
It’s estimated that almost 60% of the world's fish stocks are fully fished and 33% are overfished. Overfishing causes populations of commonly eaten fish to plummet while damaging and even killing other species and the ecosystems they live in. There are pros and cons to both farmed and wild-caught fish, which is why there are resources available to help you determine which fish at your local market is the best choice. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch app can help you decipher between the different kinds of fish and which you should pick if you want to make the more sustainable choice.
Grow your own
It is relatively simple to start growing your produce or herbs and is an affordable (and fun!) alternative to buying food at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. Seeds, soil, and equipment are available from homeware retailers across the country.
Make small adjustments
Simple and small changes to your daily life are easy to introduce and will quickly become the norm. Be aware of how much water you are using when boiling pasta, and try ‘greener’ cooking methods such as broiling instead of roasting – which uses less heat, don’t be afraid of misshapen or imperfect produce—it’s just as good for you, and use natural sweeteners such honey and maple syrup—they require less intensive farming techniques and can even be purchased locally.
Reduce waste
The United States wastes between 30-40 percent of its food supply each year, which has a value of approximately $161 billion. An average American family of four throws out $1,500 in food per year. This level of waste can be reduced by meal prepping and planning, freezing vegetables and scraps to make stocks, buying fresh produce and freezing it for a later date, eating leftovers, and developing an at-home composting system.
Understand your food’s labels
The labels on your food can be confusing, with many common phrases meaning different things or not appropriately describing the item’s origin. For example, any USDA “Organic” label can be trusted as there are legal implications for using it, and an official Fair Trade Certified seal means that one or more of the ingredients in the product were produced and traded following Fair Trade USA’s standards. However, “natural” and “non-GMO” are often used as marketing tools and are not regulated. Be aware of what marketing tactics your usual products or go-to grocery stores use.
Expiration dates can also be confusing:
Sell-by: This is information for the store for how long it can display the food for sale.
Use-by: This is the recommended date for using the product to be used for the best quality. www.fsis.usda.gov is an excellent resource for understanding expiration dates in further detail.
Sources:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sustainability/
https://amosinstitute.com/blog/the-health-impacts-of-chemical-fertilizers/
https://www.rubicon.com/blog/food-waste-facts/
