Anya’s Nutrition Advice

Sustainability: one bite at a time

Eatingsustainablyisagreatwaytolookafteryourself,the environment and the planet for future generations. Adopting small sustainable practices every day might seeminsignificantbutitcanhelpsupportaculturalshiftin the long run. The good news is, it’s not as hard as it sounds! Here’s a guide to help you get started with a more sustainablediet.

● Opt for whole, unprocessed foods in their most natural form e.g. fresh fruit and veg, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Try not to let convenience dictate your decision-making.

● Eat seasonal and locally grown produce when possible to not only reduce the carbon footprint of your food, buttosupportlocalfarmers.

● Reduce your consumption of meat. The meat industry is incredibly carbon rich by contributing to greenhouse gasses and water pollution. Try switching it up with a few plant-based options like beans, lentils and soya. Things like ‘meat-free Mondays’ can be a great place tostart.

● Did you know that if food waste were a country, it would be the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions after China and the USA? Manage your food waste by planning meals ahead of time, storing food appropriately, buying food in bulk, composting food scraps, eating leftovers, freezing food andsharingwithothers.

● Baking, boiling, steaming and grilling use less energy and resources than frying or roasting. Slow cookers and pressure cookers can also help reduce cooking time and energy use. Why not give batch-cooking a go tosaveevenmoreenergy?

● Eating sustainably starts with shopping so say no to single-use plastic bags and instead carry a reusable tote bag, refillable water bottle and choose products with minimal packaging or those that can be fully recycled orcomposted.

● Support sustainable fisheries by looking for products that are certified by organisations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Good options to try include Cornish hake, hand-line caught mackerel, Cornish sardines and Dover sole. If these aren’t available in your local supermarket, there are plenty of optionsforfreshfishdeliveryonline.

● Eat mindfully and continually educate yourself. The more we know about sustainable food practices, the easier it is to make informed choices about what and how we eat. Reading books, following social channels and joining community programmes helps to embed sustainablepracticesintoourcultureandeverydaylife. So there you have it, a simple guide to a more sustainable diet and way of life. The point is that doing ‘something’ is better than nothing at all. Small shifts and tweaks to your everyday can make a huge difference long-term.