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Earth Friendly Eating and Food Tips
16
items Going “greener” allows me to examine multiple aspects of my life where I can make better choices for our Earth. One change is better than none, so what follows is a menu of options to consider if you'd like to make meal times “lighter” when it comes ...
Sections
4
Meal Planning and Food Waste
Filling Your Cart or Market Bag
Greenwashing and Labels to Know
Refuse. Reduce. Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle.
Meal Planning and Food Waste
Planning ahead and regularly taking inventory of foods that will expire soon are two shifts that can make a large impact in practicing more environmentally friendly habits.
MEAL PLAN
The truth? I'm not great at this one! I enjoy the spontaneous, and I'm not always “in the mood” for what I thought sounded great on Sunday morning.
Also true? When we do meal plan - thank goodness for my husband, who is way more disciplined when it comes to grocery shopping and planning - our week is inevitably easier and often, thriftier as well.
Despite my avoidance, meal planning is also a much “greener” choice as well. By reviewing our commitments for the week that may require a quicker dinner one evening or another night when one of us isn't home for dinner at all, we can purchase the rig...
And I suppose we can always switch around the evening we're having a particular meal. Planning intentionally for the week also allows us to have more specific options.
The truth? I'm not great at this one! I enjoy the spontaneous, and I'm not always “in the mood” for what I thought sounded great on Sunday morning.
Also true? When we do meal plan - thank goodness for my husband, who is way more disciplined when it comes to grocery shopping and planning - our week is inevitably easier and often, thriftier as well.
Despite my avoidance, meal planning is also a much “greener” choice as well. By reviewing our commitments for the week that may require a quicker dinner one evening or another night when one of us isn't home for dinner at all, we can purchase the rig...
And I suppose we can always switch around the evening we're having a particular meal. Planning intentionally for the week also allows us to have more specific options.
Meal Planning 101: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Meal Prep
FORGOT TO MEAL PLAN?
Did you run out of time to plan for your meals for the week? If you read my last list item, you likely know you're not alone. :)
And, wouldn't you know it, I'm not either!
There are entire websites dedicated to figuring out a meal based on what you have in your fridge and pantry.
Websites like the one I've linked here can of course be helpful for a variety of reasons. It could be that you have no idea what to eat, or perhaps you just want to use up what you have (a VERY noble green choice, by the way).
Did you run out of time to plan for your meals for the week? If you read my last list item, you likely know you're not alone. :)
And, wouldn't you know it, I'm not either!
There are entire websites dedicated to figuring out a meal based on what you have in your fridge and pantry.
Websites like the one I've linked here can of course be helpful for a variety of reasons. It could be that you have no idea what to eat, or perhaps you just want to use up what you have (a VERY noble green choice, by the way).
https://myfridgefood.com
2
COORDINATE MEALS BY INGREDIENTS
Supercook is another resource like My Fridge Food, where you enter ingredients and find recipes that use what you have.
I have listed it separately here to highlight another option that may save time and money as well: use your leftovers.
School cafeterias do it all the time, so why shouldn't we? :D
What about along with weekly meal planning, we consider a recipe we're making and ingredients we may have left over (especially those that go bad quickly), we find a second meal that features many of the same ingredients but with a different twist?
This is some high-level adulting and planning.
And I know it may not be new. lol. So if you're already doing this, pat yourself on the back! You're already making smart, cost-effective choices that turn out to be positive for our Earth too!
Supercook is another resource like My Fridge Food, where you enter ingredients and find recipes that use what you have.
I have listed it separately here to highlight another option that may save time and money as well: use your leftovers.
School cafeterias do it all the time, so why shouldn't we? :D
What about along with weekly meal planning, we consider a recipe we're making and ingredients we may have left over (especially those that go bad quickly), we find a second meal that features many of the same ingredients but with a different twist?
This is some high-level adulting and planning.
And I know it may not be new. lol. So if you're already doing this, pat yourself on the back! You're already making smart, cost-effective choices that turn out to be positive for our Earth too!
Supercook: recipe search by ingredients you have at home
REDUCE FOOD WASTE
Love Food Hate Waste is a New Zealand organization dedicating to reducing food waste.
If you have family members who tend to always grab certain items instead of others that will expire sooner, you may love their cool stickers and signs like the “Eat Me First” graphic on this list item.
Their website is full of resources to help battle food waste in your home, including the list at the link below, where you can learn more about how to store each fresh food for maximum shelf life.
lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/home/good-food-habits
Love Food Hate Waste is a New Zealand organization dedicating to reducing food waste.
If you have family members who tend to always grab certain items instead of others that will expire sooner, you may love their cool stickers and signs like the “Eat Me First” graphic on this list item.
Their website is full of resources to help battle food waste in your home, including the list at the link below, where you can learn more about how to store each fresh food for maximum shelf life.
lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/home/good-food-habits
Eat Me First
Filling Your Cart or Market Bag
This section focuses on which foods to eat and when as we consider more “green” habits for our food consumption.
WHEN ORGANIC MATTERS MOST
Of course it's true that organic fruits and vegetables are more expensive, and that's why it makes a lot of sense to be informed on which foods are most important to focus on as food prices rise in general.
The Environmental Working Group has produced a list of the “dirtiest” and cleanest fruits and veggies when it comes to harmful chemicals.
You will find their resource at the attached link, but the basic rule I've memorized is this:
If you eat the outside, organic is best. Thick skinned items that are peeled, shelled, or cut away are generally safer when it comes to chemical exposure.
Buying organic eliminates your exposure and supports farmers who are committed to more rigorous standards that support both consumers and the environment!
Of course it's true that organic fruits and vegetables are more expensive, and that's why it makes a lot of sense to be informed on which foods are most important to focus on as food prices rise in general.
The Environmental Working Group has produced a list of the “dirtiest” and cleanest fruits and veggies when it comes to harmful chemicals.
You will find their resource at the attached link, but the basic rule I've memorized is this:
If you eat the outside, organic is best. Thick skinned items that are peeled, shelled, or cut away are generally safer when it comes to chemical exposure.
Buying organic eliminates your exposure and supports farmers who are committed to more rigorous standards that support both consumers and the environment!
EWG's 2024 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce
DECREASE MEAT INTAKE
I do not follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, but I do recognize the amount of resources devoted to feeding our food.
Eliminating meat on my plate one day a week is a practical and achievable way I can decrease my impact on the planet, even if it is by just a little.
Of course the day of the week doesn't matter, and there may be another way that works best for our situation. Perhaps I might choose to make a certain meal of the day meatless. Now instead of just three meals, I've increased my impact to seven.
If you do choose to try to decrease your intake of meat, the linked website has lots of resources for you.
I do not follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, but I do recognize the amount of resources devoted to feeding our food.
Eliminating meat on my plate one day a week is a practical and achievable way I can decrease my impact on the planet, even if it is by just a little.
Of course the day of the week doesn't matter, and there may be another way that works best for our situation. Perhaps I might choose to make a certain meal of the day meatless. Now instead of just three meals, I've increased my impact to seven.
If you do choose to try to decrease your intake of meat, the linked website has lots of resources for you.
Meatless Monday
EAT SEASONALLY
This one is a tough change, but it's definitely worth considering.
Other than in extreme times, we have become accustomed to having just about every food option available to us in pretty much every season. Sure, they may not be quite as fresh or flavorful, but most of the time, we can find them if we look hard enoug...
This seasonal food guide reminds us of a few reasons why our current food habits are not the most environmentally friendly. It also provides an easy resource to look up your state and see in which months your favorite fruits and vegetables are in sea...
Now with the threat of tariffs to encourage us to modify our habits as well, it could be good time to explore adding new foods to try throughout the year and learning how to preserve and store favorites for those months when the bounty in the produce...
Of course we don't need to give up favorites entirely. Canned and frozen fruits and veggies are always an option, and if we can't give up a fresh favorite every day, perhaps we can employ some of the same tips as we do if we choose to reduce our meat...
This one is a tough change, but it's definitely worth considering.
Other than in extreme times, we have become accustomed to having just about every food option available to us in pretty much every season. Sure, they may not be quite as fresh or flavorful, but most of the time, we can find them if we look hard enoug...
This seasonal food guide reminds us of a few reasons why our current food habits are not the most environmentally friendly. It also provides an easy resource to look up your state and see in which months your favorite fruits and vegetables are in sea...
Now with the threat of tariffs to encourage us to modify our habits as well, it could be good time to explore adding new foods to try throughout the year and learning how to preserve and store favorites for those months when the bounty in the produce...
Of course we don't need to give up favorites entirely. Canned and frozen fruits and veggies are always an option, and if we can't give up a fresh favorite every day, perhaps we can employ some of the same tips as we do if we choose to reduce our meat...
Seasonal Food Guide
Greenwashing and Labels to Know
So many images of happy cows in open green fields. And with them, So. Many. Labels. This section starts with two quick comprehensive guides you may find useful as you learn more about going “greener” in general as well as examining the impact of your...
WHAT IS GREENWASHING?
“All natural.” “Free range.” “Green.”
They all sound great, right?
Yet NONE of these are certified, verified, tested or in any way a solid reason to choose one product over another.
And if this weren't enough, it's so easy to be subconsciously influenced by packaging, too.
Green colored labels. Happy animals roaming freely in the grassy green pasture outside the red barn set against a vibrant sun in the background?
Don't trust them.
At this link, you will find the World Wildlife Federation's introduction to Greenwashing and how you can be a more informed consumer.
“All natural.” “Free range.” “Green.”
They all sound great, right?
Yet NONE of these are certified, verified, tested or in any way a solid reason to choose one product over another.
And if this weren't enough, it's so easy to be subconsciously influenced by packaging, too.
Green colored labels. Happy animals roaming freely in the grassy green pasture outside the red barn set against a vibrant sun in the background?
Don't trust them.
At this link, you will find the World Wildlife Federation's introduction to Greenwashing and how you can be a more informed consumer.
WWF Guide to Greenwashing | WWF
LEARN ABOUT LABELS
This guide from Green America highlights quite a few labels you may see on food packaging and gives a rating to each from 0 to 5 stars.
Below, I will share a few of the best labels on my list as well, but I found this resource to be pretty comprehensive and accurate based on the research I have been doing in writing this list.
This guide from Green America highlights quite a few labels you may see on food packaging and gives a rating to each from 0 to 5 stars.
Below, I will share a few of the best labels on my list as well, but I found this resource to be pretty comprehensive and accurate based on the research I have been doing in writing this list.
The ABCs of Food Labeling
USDA ORGANIC
This label indicates a product is at least 95% organic as certified by the USDA's National Organic Program, which you can learn more about at the attached link.
These products must also involve no synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides in their production or processing.
If a product is at least 70% organic, it may include a label that says it is “made with organic ingredients,” but they cannot use this highly regulated seal on their packaging.
This label indicates a product is at least 95% organic as certified by the USDA's National Organic Program, which you can learn more about at the attached link.
These products must also involve no synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides in their production or processing.
If a product is at least 70% organic, it may include a label that says it is “made with organic ingredients,” but they cannot use this highly regulated seal on their packaging.
Organic Regulations | Agricultural Marketing Service
AVOIDING GMOs
(Where possible)
Consumers seeking to avoid Genetically Modified Organisms are encouraged to “look for the butterfly” label that shows the seal of approval by the non-profit Non-GMO Project.
The group's website (linked here) helps consumers understand what GMO means, how prevalent GMOs are today in both our food and animal feed, and why a third-party outside of the government is required to protect consumers' interests.
The Project says no credible, long-term studies have been completed to fully determine the safety of GMOs for human consumption.
However, we do know that the purpose of many genetically modified food crops is to make them more resistant to herbicides. Their large-scale use has led to crops outcompeting native plants as well as creating even more pesticide-tolerant weeds that r...
For this reason, they do pose a threat to our environment.
Both food and cosmetic products may receive the Non-GMO Project's certification and labeling. The Project notes that “GMO Free” is neither “legally nor scientifically” able to be guaranteed, but products bearing their butterfly label have met the hig...
(Where possible)
Consumers seeking to avoid Genetically Modified Organisms are encouraged to “look for the butterfly” label that shows the seal of approval by the non-profit Non-GMO Project.
The group's website (linked here) helps consumers understand what GMO means, how prevalent GMOs are today in both our food and animal feed, and why a third-party outside of the government is required to protect consumers' interests.
The Project says no credible, long-term studies have been completed to fully determine the safety of GMOs for human consumption.
However, we do know that the purpose of many genetically modified food crops is to make them more resistant to herbicides. Their large-scale use has led to crops outcompeting native plants as well as creating even more pesticide-tolerant weeds that r...
For this reason, they do pose a threat to our environment.
Both food and cosmetic products may receive the Non-GMO Project's certification and labeling. The Project notes that “GMO Free” is neither “legally nor scientifically” able to be guaranteed, but products bearing their butterfly label have met the hig...
GMO Facts - The Non-GMO Project
GRASSFED, PASTURE RAISED
On its consumer page, the American Grassfed Association states that when consumers see “the AGA label, they are ensured it was born, raised, and processed in the USA, that the animals were raised with good animal husbandry, and that they were raised ...
Their standards page (linked here) provides the association's four primary goals for animals: they are fed a 100% grass diet, raised on pasture, antibiotic and growth hormone-free, and come from American family farms.
You can learn more about the details of each of these standards, and look up local farms (if present in your area) by following this card's link.
On its consumer page, the American Grassfed Association states that when consumers see “the AGA label, they are ensured it was born, raised, and processed in the USA, that the animals were raised with good animal husbandry, and that they were raised ...
Their standards page (linked here) provides the association's four primary goals for animals: they are fed a 100% grass diet, raised on pasture, antibiotic and growth hormone-free, and come from American family farms.
You can learn more about the details of each of these standards, and look up local farms (if present in your area) by following this card's link.
Grass Fed Consumers - American Grassfed Association
Refuse. Reduce. Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle.
Curbside recycling programs in the United States began to grow in the 1970s, though there were forms of recycling and reusing going much farther back into history. However, by the time I was in school in the 1980s, the advice was still simply to “rec...
REFUSE.
We talked about food waste above, and it is the number one place to start when eating a more earth-friendly diet.
The best thing we can do is refuse. Of course we must eat, but when purchasing (or even planting food in our backyard), it is important to carefully consider what we will consume in a timely manner so that we waste as little as possible.
When we think of the entire cycle, from planting, to growing, to transporting, to selling, to purchasing and storing, to hauling away, to going to large landfills where it will decompose and release methane gas, we begin to see the incredible chain i...
Therefore, it is important to waste as little as possible. Buying in bulk can save both packaging and money, but if we don't eat that food in time, it only contributes to waste.
We talked about food waste above, and it is the number one place to start when eating a more earth-friendly diet.
The best thing we can do is refuse. Of course we must eat, but when purchasing (or even planting food in our backyard), it is important to carefully consider what we will consume in a timely manner so that we waste as little as possible.
When we think of the entire cycle, from planting, to growing, to transporting, to selling, to purchasing and storing, to hauling away, to going to large landfills where it will decompose and release methane gas, we begin to see the incredible chain i...
Therefore, it is important to waste as little as possible. Buying in bulk can save both packaging and money, but if we don't eat that food in time, it only contributes to waste.
Preventing Wasted Food At Home | US EPA
REDUCE.
When it comes to reducing and our food, I think of two areas: product packaging and how we get our purchased items home.
Recycling is the last step (before the trash if no other option is available), but I think it's important to pause and consider it in this stage.
The linked site (Earth911) allows you to look up a variety of material types and where you can recycle them in your local area. If you have curbside recycling, I would look to that company's site first, as those will be the easiest items for you to r...
It is good to have a realistic picture of what can ACTUALLY and easily be recycled in your area because availability and facilities are NOT the same in all areas.
In the recycling note, I will also link to a site you may want to check out to see if there may be expanded options in your area you didn't even know about!
Armed with this information, it will be a little easier to consider packaging when shopping. While this isn't always possible, when you can and it's affordable, it's great to prioritize the following items:
1. Aluminum and metal cans. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and easy to recycle, so options to participate are available almost everywhere.
2. Recycled packaging. It's good to support companies that are making an effort to improve their packaging practices.
3. Less packaging (eg. less empty space/unnecessary bulk). I have heard that a larger plastic bottle is better than several smaller ones, however . . . think 2-liter bottles and large refill soap bottles. (Just remember to consider whether or not you...
4. Cardboard. This includes milk cartons. Though cartons are a “mixed material” due to the spout, I know our provider allows us to recycle them as long as we remove the plastic lid and rinse out the inside of the box.
5. Glass jars, especially if you will reuse them.
For getting our groceries home, bringing your own bag is best. While reusable bags can use more energy to create than the flimsy plastic ones, as long as you use them regularly over time, the effort to reduce plastic use whenever possible is an impor...
They also make bags for produce and even bulk items like coffee (if you have a bulk store in your area). These mesh bags for produce allow you to avoid the plastic film ones provided in most stores.
Coffee bags (and other similar dry product bags) are obviously not mesh :D They often come with a weight on the bottom for the bag itself, but you can also ask an employee at your bin store to weigh it prior to adding your desired goods so you just p...
When it comes to reducing and our food, I think of two areas: product packaging and how we get our purchased items home.
Recycling is the last step (before the trash if no other option is available), but I think it's important to pause and consider it in this stage.
The linked site (Earth911) allows you to look up a variety of material types and where you can recycle them in your local area. If you have curbside recycling, I would look to that company's site first, as those will be the easiest items for you to r...
It is good to have a realistic picture of what can ACTUALLY and easily be recycled in your area because availability and facilities are NOT the same in all areas.
In the recycling note, I will also link to a site you may want to check out to see if there may be expanded options in your area you didn't even know about!
Armed with this information, it will be a little easier to consider packaging when shopping. While this isn't always possible, when you can and it's affordable, it's great to prioritize the following items:
1. Aluminum and metal cans. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and easy to recycle, so options to participate are available almost everywhere.
2. Recycled packaging. It's good to support companies that are making an effort to improve their packaging practices.
3. Less packaging (eg. less empty space/unnecessary bulk). I have heard that a larger plastic bottle is better than several smaller ones, however . . . think 2-liter bottles and large refill soap bottles. (Just remember to consider whether or not you...
4. Cardboard. This includes milk cartons. Though cartons are a “mixed material” due to the spout, I know our provider allows us to recycle them as long as we remove the plastic lid and rinse out the inside of the box.
5. Glass jars, especially if you will reuse them.
For getting our groceries home, bringing your own bag is best. While reusable bags can use more energy to create than the flimsy plastic ones, as long as you use them regularly over time, the effort to reduce plastic use whenever possible is an impor...
They also make bags for produce and even bulk items like coffee (if you have a bulk store in your area). These mesh bags for produce allow you to avoid the plastic film ones provided in most stores.
Coffee bags (and other similar dry product bags) are obviously not mesh :D They often come with a weight on the bottom for the bag itself, but you can also ask an employee at your bin store to weigh it prior to adding your desired goods so you just p...
Recycling Center Search - Earth911.com
REUSE AND REPURPOSE.
Even better than recycling is reusing or repurposing when possible.
That being said, one only needs so many glass jar storage containers or drinking glasses!
This is when you can unleash your creative side. If you need some inspiration, there's always Pinterest, but you'll find some other ideas to get you started in the attached article.
There may be more to reuse and repurpose than you first realize as well.
Many products come in boxes that can easily be modified for a variety of purposes. If you have young kids, you will be surprised how much they might enjoy giving some of those cereal boxes and plastic lids a second, more crafty life.
If you have a baby and use disposable diapers, those boxes are sturdy! They make great open or closed storage bins, and if you're in the organizing mood, they may be a great way to test out your new plan before you invest in a more permanent solution...
I am probably a little guilty of enjoying these two steps a bit too much, but I can't help unleashing my creative side, and I always feel great when I come up with a cool new use for something.
Even better than recycling is reusing or repurposing when possible.
That being said, one only needs so many glass jar storage containers or drinking glasses!
This is when you can unleash your creative side. If you need some inspiration, there's always Pinterest, but you'll find some other ideas to get you started in the attached article.
There may be more to reuse and repurpose than you first realize as well.
Many products come in boxes that can easily be modified for a variety of purposes. If you have young kids, you will be surprised how much they might enjoy giving some of those cereal boxes and plastic lids a second, more crafty life.
If you have a baby and use disposable diapers, those boxes are sturdy! They make great open or closed storage bins, and if you're in the organizing mood, they may be a great way to test out your new plan before you invest in a more permanent solution...
I am probably a little guilty of enjoying these two steps a bit too much, but I can't help unleashing my creative side, and I always feel great when I come up with a cool new use for something.
15 Creative Ways to Reuse Glass Jars
RECYCLE.
I feel like this is the step most of us have heard about for years, and I already talked about the importance of checking out your local options on the “Reduce” card.
So here are just two more tips.
Have you heard of wishcycling? Sometimes it *seems* like something should be able to be recycled. We hope it will be recycled. Maybe if we just toss it in that bin, they'll find the right pile for it.
Sadly, many items are still not recyclable. Mixed materials are especially difficult, facilities may not be available in our area, or there just might not be a profit (this is reality, sadly) in recycling the material either due to lack of demand or ...
Still it is important to know what can be recycled where we live and avoid putting things in our curbside bin that are not eligible for recycling in our area. Wishcycling is damaging because unaccepted items can “contaminate” the steam, and an entire...
Fortunately, there does seem to be growing options in many places, and one is this easy program by Hefty.
I recently checked with our local curbside provider and verified that my area DOES allow us to participate in the program. It has been AMAZING! So many things that were wasted before have been rescued from my trash, and I feel awesome about it.
A box of the special orange bags cost about $7-8, but they fit a lot and cause me to use fewer regular trash bags as well. Plus I just really feel good about saving more from the landfill.
If you've seen some of my other lists, you may remember this recommendation, as I talked about it here: https://benable.com/ctrlzdigitaldesigns/going-green-er .
If you haven't, feel free to take a look at the list above, just please note that it includes some affiliate links, unlike this list.
Finally, I have more ideas for the list you are reading now, and I plan to add them soon.
In the meantime, however, if you haven't seen my list about No Buy, Low Buy, and Eco-Friendly shopping tips, I hope you'll take a look at this helpful list, which includes quite a few more tips about going greener!
benable.com/ctrlzdigitaldesigns/no-buy-low-buy-eco-friendly-shoppers-recommendations
I feel like this is the step most of us have heard about for years, and I already talked about the importance of checking out your local options on the “Reduce” card.
So here are just two more tips.
Have you heard of wishcycling? Sometimes it *seems* like something should be able to be recycled. We hope it will be recycled. Maybe if we just toss it in that bin, they'll find the right pile for it.
Sadly, many items are still not recyclable. Mixed materials are especially difficult, facilities may not be available in our area, or there just might not be a profit (this is reality, sadly) in recycling the material either due to lack of demand or ...
Still it is important to know what can be recycled where we live and avoid putting things in our curbside bin that are not eligible for recycling in our area. Wishcycling is damaging because unaccepted items can “contaminate” the steam, and an entire...
Fortunately, there does seem to be growing options in many places, and one is this easy program by Hefty.
I recently checked with our local curbside provider and verified that my area DOES allow us to participate in the program. It has been AMAZING! So many things that were wasted before have been rescued from my trash, and I feel awesome about it.
A box of the special orange bags cost about $7-8, but they fit a lot and cause me to use fewer regular trash bags as well. Plus I just really feel good about saving more from the landfill.
If you've seen some of my other lists, you may remember this recommendation, as I talked about it here: https://benable.com/ctrlzdigitaldesigns/going-green-er .
If you haven't, feel free to take a look at the list above, just please note that it includes some affiliate links, unlike this list.
Finally, I have more ideas for the list you are reading now, and I plan to add them soon.
In the meantime, however, if you haven't seen my list about No Buy, Low Buy, and Eco-Friendly shopping tips, I hope you'll take a look at this helpful list, which includes quite a few more tips about going greener!
benable.com/ctrlzdigitaldesigns/no-buy-low-buy-eco-friendly-shoppers-recommendations
How the Hefty ReNew Program™ Works