Mindful eating: a guide to sustainable nutrition

Have you ever thought about how food choices can affect the Planet? Eating sustainably is not just a fad, but a way of taking care of ourselves and the environment. Let's find out together what it means and how we can make a difference with our daily habits. What is meant by sustainable food Sustainable food is about producing and consuming food that has a low environmental impact, supports biodiversity, and is affordable, safe and healthy. Basically, it’s about eating in a way that protects the Planet and promotes health. According to FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), a sustainable food system is one that provides food security and nutrition for all people in a way that does not compromise the economic, social and environmental foundations for ensuring food security and nutrition for future generations. Principles The principles of sustainable nutrition include: Reducing food waste: buying only what you need and using leftovers to prevent food from ending up in the trash. Choosing local and seasonal produce: fruits and vegetables that are in season are not only fresher and richer in nutrients, but producing them also requires fewer resources. Choosing vegetable products – vegetables, fruits, grains, etc. – which have a lower environmental impact. Choosing sustainable packaging: avoiding single-use plastic and looking for biodegradable or recyclable alternatives. Choosing products from companies that use renewable energy in their operations (often you only have to look at the labels to find out). Benefits Adopting a sustainable diet has several benefits, such as: Reduced environmental impact: fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a more efficient use of resources. Promotion of biodiversity: this supports the cultivation of a variety of plants and the breeding of various animal species. Health benefits: a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains improves health. Economic sustainability: supporting local producers strengthens local economies and communities. The environmental impact of the current food system The current food system is a major cause of pollution, consuming huge amounts of water and land, and causing deforestation and the loss of biodiversity. The modern agri-food system, which incorporates the production, processing, transportation, logistics, food consumption and waste management sectors, is considered responsible for about one-third of total greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study by the EU Commission's Joint Research Centre. How to adopt sustainable nutrition In order to adopt a sustainable diet, it’s therefore advisable to: Choose fresh, unprocessed foods: less processing means less energy used. Buy local and seasonal produce: this reduces transportation-related emissions and conserves resources. Consume more plant products. Pay attention to packaging: try to avoid plastic and choose sustainable materials. Supporting policies and projects, and future prospects Many governments and international organizations are working to promote sustainable food. The United Nations 2030 Agenda, for example, includes goals for improving global food systems. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) explicitly talks about "ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture." SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption), on the other hand, directly links production and consumption and sets a goal of halving post-harvest losses and food waste. But there are also references to the issue of sustainable nutrition in other SDGs. The IPCC (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has long called for changes to reduce social inequalities and make food systems more resilient and sustainable, and for preference to be given to agro-ecological farming, which supports food security, livelihoods and biodiversity, while also countering heat waves and contributing to the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2). The World Resources Institute analyzes strategies for increasing food production sustainably (such as improving pasture yields and land and water management), promoting methods for reducing the environmental impact of food production by protecting forests and restoring degraded farmland, and it provides research and tools to help measure and reduce food loss and waste. The EAT-Lancet Commission is a nonprofit organization consisting of 37 world-renowned scientists who have produced a report on what constitutes a "healthy diet," starting with a sustainable food system, and what actions can support and accelerate food system transformation. Getting informed and educated about sustainable food is critical. Choosing what we eat can have a huge impact on our health and climate. With small changes in eating habits, we can help create a better future.

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Mindful eating: a guide to sustainable nutrition

Mindful eating: a guide to sustainable nutrition

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