Ways to Green Your Diet - Big Y® World Class Market®

Registered Dietitian Carrie Taylor, RD, LDN and Nutritionist Andrea Samson, BS

With environmental and economic concerns increasing, people are making energy–saving changes a priority. Some switch to using compact fluorescent lightbulbs, while others drive a more fuel-efficient car. But did you know you have the power to go “green” every day with your eating habits?

Consider your food’s “carbon footprint.” This is the amount of energy and resources it uses in production and transportation.

To lower your carbon footprint, start increasing the amount of locally produced food you buy. This will help reduce the amount of energy used and pollution created during shipping of food. Plus, buying locally supports farms and businesses in your community. To find out the origin of your food, take a moment to check labels and supermarket signs.

Product packaging leads to waste, so consider it when shopping. Look for products with refill packs and minimal packaging. Check for packaging made from recyclable or biodegradable materials. Question if convenience packaging is truly necessary, because individually wrapped products can significantly increase your amount of waste. Instead, buy in bulk and pack snack-size portions in reusable containers.

Time spent planning meals can go a long way in reducing food waste. Take time once or twice a week to plan out daily menus before going grocery shopping. When creating menus, plan on different ways to use leftovers for another meal. For example, cut up baked chicken breast from one night’s dinner and mix it with pasta, feta cheese, spinach, and tomatoes for the next night’s meal.

Some food waste is unavoidable, so consider composting. Composting reduces trash volume by converting certain food waste into rich soil. This soil can be used for gardening, perking up lawns and decorating around trees. Many towns make composting bins available at a reduced cost, while other places are beginning to offer drop-off sites for food scraps. Contact your local Department of Public Works and visit your state’s Department of Environmental Protection Web site for more information.

Make two meals each week vegetarian based. Why? Americans generally eat enough meat-based protein and not enough fruits and vegetables. Increasing the amount of fruits, vegetables and legumes (dried beans) you eat will have positive effects on your health and the environment. Plus, livestock use a considerable amount of resources and produce waste that can lead to water pollution and greenhouse gases.

Choose certified organic options of your favorite foods, when possible. Chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers, as well as farming techniques often used with conventional foods, are typically chosen to increase yield and produce more attractive looking products for consumers. There is growing concern, though, of the environmental impact these compounds and practices have. Therefore, if buying organic is possible, go organic!

Promoting sustainability requires one to alter how they live in the present so future generations benefit from the same resources. “Going green” with your diet doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Simply be aware of your options and make changes where you can. Any effort made to “reduce, reuse and recycle” makes a difference.

Have a nutrition question? Ask Big Y’s Wellness Team:

Visit BigY.com’s Living Well Eating Smart Web page and post a question.

Send e-mails to: askcarrie@bigy.com

Write to Ask Carrie:
2145 Roosevelt Ave.,
PO Box 7840, Springfield, MA 01102