Organic produce, grass fed meat, wild caught fish... is it affordable and does it help our environment?
When you think about sustainable eating, organic foods, grass fed meat and vegan foods you often think “oh yeah, nice idea but is the cost worth it?”. While this is a valid question, natural, alive and good quality foods do not have to break the bank.
In fact, when done in a strategic way you may even save money. You can have an environmentally friendly diet that supports local farmers and markets. 🥗
So here are 7 ways to eat green and save some money:
1. Eat in season 🍓
If you’ve ever gone strawberry picking in June you know how delicious a red ripe strawberry is. Food harvested in season is at peak ripeness and taste. Some studies suggest foods in season are higher in nutrients as well. Seasonal eating can be less expensive too especially when the farmers have an abundant crop. Eating seasonally also supports sustainable farming and natural growing cycles. Farming year round can force farmers to use more pesticides, water and fertilizers raising the cost of their harvest. Eating seasonally also supports eating locally. Win, win. There are many online resources to know what foods are in season in your area such as the FoodNetwork.com or the book The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to Guide
2. Meal Plan 🗒
Meal Planning can help you follow a healthier diet and put you in control of your food choices. This is also called intentional eating and is a great way to follow your health goals. Creating a detailed food list keeps you on track when grocery shopping helping you avoid impulse spending and reducing your overall grocery bill. Meal planning also avoids wasting food. Wasted food is a major contributor to landfill and it is estimated that up to 1/3 of groceries purchased end up in landfills.
3. Avoid ultra-processed foods 🛑
Ultra-processed foods have undergone many industrial processes and contain lots of unwanted additives such as sugar, artificial flavours, fats and chemicals. Diets high in processed foods are attributed to many health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and certain cancers. Their carbon footprint is also higher due to the extra processing. It is always recommended to replace them with natural whole foods whenever possible. When sourced locally and in season whole foods can be cost effective in comparison to processed foods as well.
4. Eat All Your Leftovers 🍲
As mentioned discarded food is an environmental concern since it often ends up in landfills. Eating leftovers can help you avoid spending extra money on takeout food and groceries you don’t need. If you aren’t a big fan of leftovers then try repurposing the leftovers. For example a cooked chicken for supper can be used the next day for lunch as a chicken salad or sandwich. Leftovers from dinner make great lunches!
5. Shop In Bulk 🛒
Buying in bulk is a great way to reduce cost and as a bonus reduce plastic packaging. Dry goods in bulk offer a great savings especially nuts, dried fruits and flours. If buying in bulk is too much for you to use then consider splitting it with a family member or a friend.
6. Canning, Freezing and Drying 🫙
Whether buying in bulk or loading up at your local farmer’s market you will have to figure out how to keep your produce from going bad. Fortunately freezing, canning and drying foods is a cheap and easy way to preserve food at home. Freezing is the easiest method and many foods freeze well though I suggest doing your research when freezing a new food for the first time. Canning and drying require more effort but the benefit of having the fresh produce around for weeks or months is definitely worth it.
7. Plant A Garden 🍅
Planting a garden has many benefits. Depending how much food you grow your garden could reduce your overall grocery bill. If you compost not only will it keep your food out of landfills but you can use it to improve your soil’s structure and the quality of your garden. While gardening is time consuming it is also a great stress reliever. Getting in the garden just three times per week can reduce your stress level and improve your sense of health and well-being.
The Bottom Line 🥬
Eating sustainably with good quality whole and natural foods in season can save money and help the environment. Consider buying from local farmers and supporting your local markets. Planting a garden can be a great stress reliever and reduces your fresh produce costs and bonus the whole family can get involved!
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