Exploring the Climatarian Diet
As consumer sentiment towards sustainability and environmental preservation remains strong, new diets are emerging as many are searching ways to alter their lifestyles in order to further support these causes. The Climatarian diet’s main goal is to reverse climate change and primarily involves choosing what one eats based on the carbon footprint of different foods. In doing so, those following the Climatarian diet hope to drive down the production of products such as meat and dairy that have the greatest negative affect on the planet. Read on as we at Advanced Biotech explore some of the simple steps consumers can take to gradually follow the Climatarian diet.
Shop Local
Buying locally produced food is the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint. Local food is grown in-season, travels fewer miles to retailers therefore reducing the impact of gas emission on the environment, and as a bonus most of the profit goes back to the grower and stays in to community. The easiest way to buy local is to look for packaging or signage that indicates local products in grocery stores. Dairy such as cheeses and milk, fruits and vegetables, baked confections, and non-perishables like jams and sauces are local products often stocked in retailers. Visiting farmers’ markets, state fairs, roadside stands, and even orchards are a great way to patronize local farmers and manufacturers while also getting fresh, in-seasons goods.
Reduce Red Meat
Many studies have shown that when compared to other sources of protein beef has a huge carbon footprint. An easy way to cut back on red meat consumption is to replace beef with turkey or chicken, or to take it a step farther and follow a completely meat-free diet such as veganism or vegetarianism. Replacing meat altogether with plant-based proteins like tofu, beans, and even innovate meat-replacements are a good way for consumers to reduce their carbon footprint while also benefitting from the many health benefits natural, meat-free products have to offer. When meat is consumed, it is best to make sure that is it locally sourced and grass-fed, preferably at a farm that utilizes all of the parts in order to reduce food waste.
Cut Down on Food Waste
Food and food byproducts that do not get consumed and instead are discarded are a huge waste of resources. On a consumer-level, meal planning and meal prepping will help to ensure that people do not purchase more than they will consume and will not discard uneaten food once it expires. Rotating food to make sure older food gets eaten first, upcycling uneaten produce into compost, and freezing foods will also make sure that food does not go to waste. Saving food scraps to make stock and leftover bones to make broth are also a great way to ensure that food does not go to waste while also benefitting from naturally occurring vitamins and nutrients.
While the Climatarian Diet seems like an intimidating concept, there are simple steps that can be taken and habits that can be adopted to easily incorporate it into everyday lifestyles.