Interested in an eco-friendly diet? Here are 4 foods you can try to save the world

The world is in shambles, and we can’t quite make this stop. No matter how much regular people try to have a sustainable life, industries still pollute the air and water, and celebrities fly with their private jets, emitting over 30 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. Right now, you’d think that the effort people go through to make the planet less degraded is hopeless, and it might be half-true, as we can’t compete with such enormous causes of the greenhouse effects.

But no matter the implications, individuals can still make a difference, from the way we recycle to the food we consume. After all, it’s about doing things right and not falling into the trap of consumerism. Moreover, looking back at previous generations, it’s most likely they weren’t taking sustainability as a priority. But from now on, we can change things without compromising our lives, from choosing sustainable products to organic meals. That’s why we’ll talk about some foods you can try for an eco-friendly diet and their benefits.

Oats

Replace your cereal breakfast with some easy-to-make oats! Oats grown without artificial chemicals are preferred, and they’re good for the soil because they help replenish it. Their harvesting doesn’t damage air, water or forests, but oats can take up the excess soil nutrients and improve legume growth when planted in mixtures.

Regarding if they’re good and healthy for you, know that oats are:

• Nutritious. They contain manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc and vitamin B;
• Rich in antioxidants (can help with lowering blood pressure levels);
• Helping lowering cholesterol levels;
• Great for people with type 2 diabetes, lowering blood sugar levels;
• Relieving constipation;

You can buy oats in bulk from local shops. You can save money and get plenty of meals for a while because oats are known to fill your stomach, and, for a delicious breakfast, you can try making overnight oats so you won’t have to worry about the next day’s meal. For example, you could add fruits, seeds, organic peanut butter and almond milk (or any other plant-based one). Mix it into your bowl and leave it in the fridge overnight so that the composition will get creamy but solid enough to not fall from your spoon.

Locally grown vegetables and fruits

Getting everything from the supermarket or other shops might be convenient, but it’s still more advisable to shop at your local markets. You’ll be amazed at how many reasonably priced things you can find. This way, you’ll help your local farmers survive to keep on growing organic fruits and vegetables, even if it means you’ll eat them when the season comes. Fruits and vegetables that are sold out of season are imported from other countries, and the transportation prices and impact on the environment are concerning.

Vegetables grown organically have better taste, and you can cook them to make delicious meals, while fruits are great snacks high in fibre and rich in vitamins and minerals. It’s best to buy them more often, as they don’t survive too much, but if you’re looking for snacks that last longer, you can have some wholesale edibles. The cannabis industry has grown so much that the harvesting is environmentally friendly, with unprocessed products that have plenty of benefits for your body.

From chewing gums to gummies, CBD products can ease anxiety, treat epilepsy syndromes and relieve pain. It can help you during moments of eco-anxiety, so having wholesale edibles can become in handy when you need something to chew on.  Additionally, weed drinks are becoming popular as a refreshing and innovative way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis, offering a convenient and tasty alternative to traditional edibles.

Beef and lamb

Being environmentally friendly doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop eating meat. While most meats are not grown rightfully, grass-fed beef and lamb are qualitative and sustainable on organic farms. At the same time, when talking about the soil, farmers can rotate livestock with crops to offset livestock emissions.

For example, in New Zealand, you can find the first meat company to receive International Certified Humane Accreditation that produces 75% fewer carbon emissions compared to the global average. Its humanely raised, GMO-free meat with no antibiotics or added hormones has become so popular that you might find this company’s products in your local markets as well. Of course, we’re talking about the First Light, where you can find grass-fed Wagyu and farm-raised venison.

And they’re good for your health too! Beef and lamb promote muscle growth, improve physical performance and help with anaemia prevention. You can try a lamb roast with vegetables or some beef stew from time to time to diversify your meals.

Lentils

Lentils have a little carbon footprint and don’t need much water to grow. They also clean the soil, making cultivating other crops easier. The soil becomes a better carbon sink through a process of nitrogen fixation, so consider them when looking for unprocessed plant-based foods. Also, when buying a certain amount of lentils, know what the final cooked lentils will absorb water, doubling their size, and, therefore, become more than you’ve initially bought.

Lentils are easy and fast to cook: you use three cups of liquid for one cup of lentils and boil them for around 15 minutes. They do not require soaking, and you can make delicious meals by introducing other vegetables, like tomatoes. But lentils are also good in soups for a cold day, and you can add almost whatever you have around the house in such a recipe. Or you can toss some in a summer salad with just oil, salt and vinegar.

There are more types of lentils, from brown, green and red, and they all have health benefits, like:

• Supporting regular bowel movements due to their high fibre composition;
• Improving blood sugar levels because they contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory features;
• Protecting your heart by helping to lower your blood pressure;

Wrap-up

As consumers, it’s important to realise that what we eat can sometimes be damaging to the environment, whether we talk about the costs of transportation linked to the gas emissions or the pesticides used that are altering the soil. It comes down to our own health to look for better, organic products that can help save the world.