For 50 years, during the month of March the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics welcomes the public to learn more about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme is Fuel for the Future. The goal is to put into practice eating more sustainably as a way to nourish our bodies, while also helping the environment.
Here are some examples of ways of eating healthy and sustainably:
Look for locally made foods. Eating foods that are grown or processed locally help hometown businesses. When food doesn’t have to travel far distances it also helps reduce gas emissions. Check out local farmers markets and look out for signs in the grocery store that mention an item that was grown locally. Here are some places near you:
- Waltham Farmers Market: https://walthamfarmersmarket.org/
- Wilson’s Farm Lexington: https://www.wilsonfarm.com/v2.0/home.php
Try a plant-based diet. Replacing one meal per week with a plant-based meal, can help cut co2 emissions in the air. Try vegetarian tacos see recipe below:
https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-vegetarian-tacos
Reduce food waste. Are you throwing away food items because they spoil fast or do you eat a lot of packaged foods? A good way to avoid this is buying fewer processed/packaged foods. Try buying fruits and vegetables frozen to prevent food spoilage, plus they are easy and quick to prepare, and often are less expensive. Find them in the freezer section at your local grocery store, Green Giant and Dole are two major brands that offer frozen produce.
Some ways to go a little extra and some fun you can do with the whole family:
● Start a compost system, turn food waste into fertilizer. Here is a link to a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exdY0ZwS9bg
● Start a home garden. Start in pots to make it easier.
http://www.thespruce.com/vegetable-container-gardening-for-beginners-848161
● Raise chickens and produce your own eggs. Here is how:
https://www.almanac.com/raising-chickens-101-how-get-started
Content Submitted by Jessica Roy, MS, RD, LDN and Melanie Crane, Nutrition Intern
Take the guesswork out of healthy eating by working with a registered dietitian. Set realistic goals, create an action plan, get started off on the right foot and receive guidance along the way. Reach out to the dietitians at Waverley Oaks to learn more at [email protected].