We all know that our environment is in trouble and that there need to be differences made to reverse and limit damages being done to the planet. We also know that how we eat is a big factor in this.
But sometimes this can feel like a big pressure, and it can feel even harder to implement changes when you have a family. Sometimes it is much easier to take the easy road out, with things like fast food and quick choices that don’t deviate from your routine and history.
However, you will be glad to know, there are lots of easy and accessible ways that you can make ethical eating part of your everyday life. Eating in a way that is good for the planet in a multitude of ways doesn’t have to mean big dramatic changes overnight.
You and your whole family don’t have to go 100% vegan to make a difference to the issues facing the planet right now.
You can make small, consistent changes and choices that add up to a significant and positive difference.
Here’s how to get started.
Shop locally
One of the best things you can do for both the environment and the economy is to shop as locally as possible. Of course, it is easier to buy things online, especially when we are busy and especially during the pandemic.
When you can, a great thing to do is go to locally-run, independent shops to buy your groceries.
These products take less travelling and less packaging and so they contribute less to CO2 emissions and environmental pollution. Also, if you shop locally you are more likely to walk or cycle to the store and so you are doubling down on cutting down on pollution and emissions.
Shopping locally is also great for your local economy and will help jobs to be created and businesses to stay open.
Consider packaging and plastic use
When you are buying groceries, try and opt for packaging-free and plastic-free options as much as possible.
Bring your own reusable bags and try and go to shops where packaging-free alternatives are sold.
If everyone across the world even made a small decrease in the amount of single-use food packaging they use, there would be a big, positive environmental influence.
Make one or two meals a week vegetarian/vegan
It’s unrealistic to ask a whole family to be vegan or vegetarian overnight, and it isn’t necessary in order to make a difference to the planet.
Try instead to make a couple of meals each week with no meat and/or no dairy products
Go for a veggie pasta bake, a vegetable stew, a tofu stir fry, or anything you fancy.
Making this small difference every week can really help cut down on the CO2 emissions produced from cattle farming and it can help bring down the excessive meat production across the world.
Your kids might not even notice the difference if you get your recipes right.
If you want to eat and shop in a way that is better for the world, it is all about small choices that you choose regularly.
It doesn’t have to be scary and it doesn’t have to come with making your children unhappy or stressed.
We can all make a difference and we can do it in ways that work for us and our families.
