|
Five Ways to
Green Your Kitchen on a Budget
For eco-conscious living, eating
habits seem to be every bit as important as recycling and driving.
Fortunately, research identifies changes to promote the earth’s
health that are also healthy for you and your wallet.
One report by researchers at
Cornell University estimates that 19 percent of US energy consumption
is spent to produce, package, transport and prepare our food.
The carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is just one
way our eating choices impact the environment. Raising animals
and waste byproducts produce other harmful gases, such as nitrous
oxide and methane. |
|
1. Less red meat: In 2006, a
U.N. report estimated that livestock produced 18 percent of the
world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Red meats produce far
more greenhouse gases than poultry or seafood due to the relatively
larger amounts of food needed to raise cattle, pigs and lamb.
These livestock also release methane after digestion, and decomposing
manure emits greenhouse gasses.
Limiting red meat to no more
than 18 ounces a week is recommended by the American Institute
for Cancer Research to lower risk of colon cancer. A report in
the respected Lancet medical journal recommends a slightly lower
limit of about two ounces per day for environmental and health
benefits. To reach this target, some people may want to eat smaller
portions of red meat while increasing their vegetables and grains.
Others may prefer to replace some red meat meals with poultry
or seafood, or to add a meatless meal each week.
2. Less processed food: Some
food processing makes healthy food convenient. But most processing
removes valuable nutrients and adds sodium, sugar or trans fat.
Instead of foods like chicken nuggets with a long list of processed
ingredients, take the time to prepare the whole-food version
yourself. For snacks, Kate Geagan, a registered dietitian and
expert on healthful "green" eating, suggests snacking
on single ingredient foods like fruit or nuts, rather than chips,
bars or cheesy-doodles.
3. Drink wisely: Liquids add
weight that requires more fuel to transport. Even recycling plastic
bottles and cans can’t make up for the resources spent to
make and transport them. Fuel is also used to produce drinks’
sweeteners, whether high fructose corn syrup or no-calorie sweeteners.
So save the bottled drinks for occasional use. Make ice tea at
home. Drink tap water instead of soft drinks and bottled water
whenever possible. Purchasing fewer beverages can also help you
reach or stay a healthy weight. Research estimates that about
half of the increased US calorie consumption in the past 20 years
has come from sweetened drinks. Cutting back has been shown to
reduce calorie consumption.
4 and 5. Eat less, waste less:
Americans today eat an average of 150 to 300 calories more each
day than we did in the 1970s. If you only eat when you’re
hungry and stop eating when you’re satisfied you’ll
save the energy to produce and transport that food. You’ll
also cut calories without going hungry.
If you buy and prepare only what you’ll eat, you will also
waste less. Research estimates at least 14 percent of U.S. food
purchased ends up in the garbage. Landfills are the largest source
of methane emissions in the United States, partly because foods
release the greenhouse gas as they decompose. If you notice you
have extra food that is going bad, start buying and preparing
less, or use leftovers in salad, soup or pasta dishes once or
twice each week.
You don’t have to do it
all. Just recognize that your eating choices can benefit the
earth and your health – perhaps even saving money –
and choose changes you’re ready to make. |
Print
Forums
Refer Page
