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With summertime quickly approaching, what a
wonderful time of year for incorporating some "green"
nutrition tips to carry you through the entire summer!!
BUYING LOCAL AND
SEASONAL PRODUCE
South Jersey is full of local farm markets bursting with seasonal fruits and
vegetables. Purchasing foods locally helps support the local economy
while reducing fuel for transport of these foods to distant markets.
EATING A
PLANT-BASED DIET
Many major health care agencies such as the American Institute for Cancer
Research and the American Heart Association recommend that most of us eat
two-thirds of our diet based on plant foods. That means that
two-thirds of each dinner plate should consist of whole grains, fruits
and/or vegetables. A diet such as this, besides being very healthy,
will assist in the reduction of overall carbon emissions in the environment.
THE BEVERAGES WE
DRINK
This summer, instead of drinking all those sodas, sports drinks and bottled
water, bring your own filtered water in a reusable container from home.
Besides saving on overall calories you will also help the environment by
reducing leftover packaging and bottles. |
USING THE KITCHEN MORE
We should also use the kitchen more and eat out less often. Not only
does this make nutritional sense - one can control portions, calories and
nutrition this way. It also makes great sense in improving the
environment as this reduces waste, packaging and energy.
CHOOSING
LESS-PROCESSED FOODS
Many nutrition experts advise that we should all concentrate our food
shopping in the perimeter of a food supermarket. If one takes a closer
look at the setup of a typical grocery store, the basic food groups are
located in the perimeter. This in turn reduces the choice of foods
that are more highly processed - those that require more packaging,
transporting and storing as well.
SAVING GREEN BY
EATING GREEN
Some will argue that by choosing a more healthy diet you will spend more
money. The points above show this is not so! When one cooks a
little more at home, eats a meal or two from a plant-based diet, trims
portions, and reduces food waste - this will all certainly lead to spending
less money for food. And in these economic times we could all benefit
from these savings! |
