Sustainabilitry Begins With the Foods You Eat! Here Are Some Eco-friendly Foods that You Should Add to Your Diet!

Food and climate change are inextricably linked with each other, more so than we care to think. The global food industry needs a lot of energy to carry out various activities, including cultivation, transportation, storing, preparation, and serving. These processes involve the emission of greenhouse gases and have a detrimental impact on the environment.

Climate change can affect vulnerable countries, especially the ones suffering from the worst forms of food insecurity. So, the increase of climate change impacts their agricultural potential. There are a lot of foods that have a big impact on the environment. However, there is also a range of more eco-friendly foods, and it is important to find out more about them and prefer to eat them too. Here are the names of some food items with ecological benefits.

Lentils

One of the most nutritious and environmental foods is certainly lentils and can be labeled as superfoods. Lentils belong to a legume family and are a great source of fiber, protein, and several other nutrients. They have a very low carbon print, require a small amount of water, and clean soil to grow. The best part of lentils is that they are incredibly cheap.

Beans

Beans also belong to the legume family and are available in several shapes and sizes – such as red kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans. This is a superfood that promises a very low carbon and water footprint. It contains a powerhouse of nutrients including fiber, and protein. They are also a very versatile food when it comes to eating. You can have them in soups or salads, or pair them with rice, and you have a perfect example of a sustainable and nutritious food option.

Figs

Figs are said to be the most resilient plants on Earth. There are about 750 fig plants across the planet and they can act as lynchpins in the ecosystem. They are a key source of food for many animals. They are not only environment-friendly but nutritious and provide very versatile ways to consume them.

Mussels

Mussels are harvested on long collector ropes that are suspended in oceans. While they flourish along the ropes, they eat food grown in the water. They also have a symbiotic relationship with the environment as they filter and clean the water. They also have the potency to extract the carbons from the shells with little to no environmental impact. They are also a great source of protein, and, of course, it helps that they are plain delicious.

Garden Peas

Peas have the potency to fix nitrogen in the soil which makes them an eco-friendly alternative to soybean plants. The nitrogen-fixing characteristic also helps to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizer. Instead, peas will leave the soil enriched with nutrients after harvest. Pea plants grow in particularly cool conditions and reduce the water waste that is linked with hot temperatures.

 Tomatoes

Locally-grown luscious tomatoes have a low carbon footprint and their taste that will make you skip the shipped supermarket tomatoes for good. Their deep root systems get entrenched deep into the soil and help provide more moisture from deeper soil. Thus, you do not need much water in the hot summer months.

 Leafy Greens

Leafy greens are the ultimate superfoods that you must add more into your diet.  Leafy greens include foods such as kale and spinach. They are green, leafy, and great for your health. Leafy greens can be grown in large quantities and require very little resources. Also, there are many variants of the same that you can try. They are versatile enough to be added to salads and smoothies alike. Just use your imagination and incorporate them into your diet.

Rice

Rice is a staple food in different parts of the world and is popular because of its traditional hardiness and high energy content. It is nice and, despite the vision of paddy fields full of water, requires very little water to grow. Rice is not only easy to grow but easy to cook as well, and can be used for long periods of time.

Well, these are some of the best foods that you can add to your diet, and express your kindness and love to the environment.