We’ve talked a bit before about some changes you can make to your diet that can have an impact on the environment. But, as the new year approaches, people tend to make more drastic dietary changes.
If your New Year’s resolution this year is to eat healthy and make a more positive impact on the environment, you might want to consider changing the way you eat, altogether, rather than just adding or taking away certain foods.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most environmentally-friendly diets you can adapt to in 2019.
Switching to a Vegan Diet
Veganism has become a lifestyle for so many people across the country for various reasons. The good news? Because of its popularity, it’s easier than ever to “go vegan” and not have to miss out on some of your favorite foods. There are vegan restaurants, vegan supermarkets, etc. You’re certainly not limited to tofu and vegetables!
How does a vegan diet help the environment? Simply put, when you consume more plant products and less (or no) animal products, less energy is being used to produce the sustainable materials you’ll be eating. It takes a lot more energy to raise livestock, for example.
When you switch to plant-based food, you’re reducing your carbon footprint by lessening the amount of energy it takes to create that food.
The Mediterranian Diet
You may have heard of the Mediterranian diet before, but if you think it means you’ll be eating nothing but fish, think again.
Obviously, this diet has roots in Mediterranian areas like Greece, Spain, etc. The lower carbon footprint of these diets is the result of less meat being consumed. You don’t have to cut out meat altogether, but you’ll be consuming a lot less (especially red meat, which tends to have the greatest environmental impact).
A Mediterranian diet is rich in plant-based foods like nuts, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. It also uses fats like olive oil instead of butter, once again reducing the need to use animal energy.
Switch Your Protein Intake
Though this isn’t necessarily a diet with a specific name, one of the best things you can do if you don’t want to give up meat altogether is to switch the type of meat you’re consuming. Simply by making the switch to chicken or fish over red meat, you can significantly lower your carbon footprint.
As we enter into a new year, it’s a great time to start thinking about how your day to day life has an impact on the environment. Diet plays a huge part in that, so it’s our responsibility as a society to do whatever we can to keep things as sustainable as possible. By taking a look at your diet and making these changes, you can get the nutrition your body needs while doing your part to lower your environmental impact. That’s a great way to kick off this new year, and many years to come.