Weaving “purpose” into the way we eat: some facts to inform your food shopping list if you are dreaming of a Green Christmas
We are in the middle of crazy disruptions, and the Festive Season in 2020 has a very different feel. Many of us have wondered how we can have a greener lifestyle and have started taken steps to make changes in our lives. This article will aim to help you to figure out how your habits and purchasing power can make a positive impact in the world, nature and climate.
If you are considering how to weave purpose into your food shopping, you are not alone. In a recent study where more than 7,500 people participated, it emerged that almost 80% of those interviewed expressed that they are changing their purchase preferences based on brands’ and retailers’ social responsibility, and 65% stated that they’re actively buying from brands who are responding responsibly to how the “new normal” is unfolding after COVID-19.
There is much that every single one of us can do to make a positive impact, and this starts with the food we eat. It’s so easy to just go into overwhelm zone or become numb to all the things we “could” or “should” be doing as mindful consumers and human beings, when we want to feed ourselves, our families and our friends (restrictions allowing!) tasty, nutrient-rich food this Christmas, and all year round.
Let’s arm ourselves with some facts so we understand why it’s so very important to make the right food choices, for the health of our bodies and the planet. First thing to say is that we are facing an increasingly significant challenge to nourish a growing population in a sustainable way, without exceeding the planetary boundaries- yes, we would need at least three planets if everyone lived and consumed like the average European today!
Let’s understand the problems with animal agriculture, and what the potential ways forward can be. Getting this right will mean we will have the information we need to make a positive impact by modifying the way we eat.
One reason why it’s so important to make the right choices is that agriculture is the main driver of deforestation and, in particular, clearing land to grow food to feed animals. Yes, you read this correctly. 80% of the food grown is not to feed humans, but to feed animals. So it’s easy to understand why it is that if we eat lower down the food chain taking more of our proteins and nourishment from plants rather than animals, we are doing our bit to help reverse the deforestation trends. The loss of forests is a serious problem to us all: forests are massive carbon sinks that mitigate climate change, prevent soil erosion, provide habitats for animals and many other services which are essential for our survival.
Industrialised animal agriculture also pollutes rivers and emits high amounts of greenhouse gases. It’s not all doom and gloom though; there are slower, regenerative agriculture methods of rearing animals that mimic nature which could potentially actually absorb, rather than emit carbon. One example of this practice is when cattle are fed through “holistic grazing”. The challenge is that it’s not so easy to get hold of meat grown this way; to ensure it has been raised using this approach to higher level stewardship, look for accreditations or logos such pasture-fed. We are starting to understand how these systems can potentially also help regenerate soils and capture carbon from the atmosphere.
So, here are some ideas to keep in mind for more environmentally-conscious Christmas food:
1. Meat is not necessarily off the table, but eat less of it, and better quality (a quick Ecosia search with the keywords “regenerative + turkey + UK” brought many relevant results).
2. Eat lower down the food chain, more nuts, pulses, fruits and veg.
3. Waste not, want not. Use your leftovers for Boxing Day meals and beyond. With less food waste, less food needs to be produced to feed the world and the planet can be spared.
4. Choose Fairtrade (might not be perfect but it does improve the lives of farmers too).
5. Consider eating veggie or vegan mains for Christmas- they can be as tasty! Here are some of my fave Christmas veggie options: Quorn Wellington takes literally 10 min to prepare (plus 1 ½ hours to cook) and pairs perfectly with this cauli and sage butter recipe.
And ENJOY the Festivities!
