Today, April 22, is Earth Day, a day that marks the anniversary of the first environmental movement in 1970.
We celebrate our beautiful, generous and precious Mother Earth that loves us even though we’re destroying it. Indeed, so many studies are telling us and showing how we have been harming our planet.
We all, or almost all, enjoy a warmer winter season, but climate change is not good for glaciers, animal species, plants, agriculture. That’s not good for us and especially for the next generations that will be forced to live and deal with the damages we have been causing for decades.
Today there are several events worldwide to honor our Earth but also to share important information on what we all can do to protect the environment and inspire people to take action, now!
Adopting a sustainable diet is one of the several things we can do to show our love and respect for our planet.
What is a sustainable diet
“Sustainable Diets are those diets with low environmental impacts which contribute to food and nutrition security and to healthy life for present and future generations. Sustainable diets are protective and respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems, culturally acceptable, accessible, economically fair and affordable; nutritionally adequate, safe and healthy; while optimizing natural and human resources”. (FAO, 2010)
Here are some simple tips that will help you eat sustainably:
- Eat more veggies and less meat
It will benefit your health but also the planet because limiting meat consumption will help reduce the greenhouse gas emission.
- Buy local food products
When fresh, food items are richer in nutrients. If you purchase grocery from a local store or market, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and connect with people who produced your food. And you will appreciate more the products. In addition, buying locally will help reduce your carbon footprint.
- Shop and eat mindfully
Before going food shopping, make a list of the items you really need. This way you will avoid purchasing extra things that you’ll probably end up throwing in the garbage. Limiting food waste is another way to protect the environment, besides your finance! And don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag!!!
When buying fish and meat, choose those that have been raised with care and with little harm to the environment, and avoid species that are overfished.
Share food with family and friends. You will enjoy the food better. And focus on what you’re eating, it will connect you with the food and its source and will also help you eat just the right amount your body needs.
- Start composting
You can transform the uneaten or spoiled food and the food waste into soil. That’s a good way to make something good (soil) out of something bad (food waste). Learn here how to start.
Food has an impact on the environment and on our health so it’s important we pay attention to what we eat as a form of love and respect for our body and our environment.
Today is a great day to show our love to our planet, and a good opportunity to start or continue taking great care of it. Because every day is #EarthDay!!!
Mindful Nutrition, LLC 