HOW TO EAT GREEN

All the foods we choose to eat have some sort of impact on the planet. ‘Green eating’ or a ‘green diet’ is defined as a healthy, sustainable diet that’s good for you as well as the planet – and it’s easier to follow than you might think

WHY DO WE NEED A GREEN DIET?

Most of our food isn’t produced in a sustainable way. Food systems as a whole generate 20 30 per cent of global greenhouse gases (GHG), with farming and agriculture responsible for 15 25 per cent of GHG emissions.

It’s also a major cause of soil and water pollution, biodiversity loss, deforestation and over ishing. The combined impact means an increase in global warming, extreme weather events, water shortages and, eventually, food shortages for everyone.

To help preserve the planet, many climate scientists have said we need to change the way we produce and consume our food. Luckily, this change can also be good for our well-being.

The Green Food Project, a UK government initiative with an aim of improving the food system, has identi ied eight key principles of a healthy and sustainable diet

1 Eat a varied, balanced diet to maintain a healthy body weight

2 EAT MORE PLANT BASED FOODS, INCLUDING AT LEAST FIVE PORTIONS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES EACH DAY

3 Value your food: ask about where it comes from and how it’s produced, and don’t waste it

4 DRINK TAP WATER

5 Choose fish sourced from sustainable stocks – seasonality and capture methods are important, too

6 MODERATE YOUR MEAT CONSUMPTION WHILE INCLUDING MORE PLANT BASED SOURCES OF PROTEIN IN YOUR DIET SEE PANEL, RIGHT

7 EAT FEWER FOODS HIGH IN FAT, SUGAR & SALT

8 INCLUDE MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS IN YOUR DIET, OR SEEK OUT PLANT BASED ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE FORTIFIED WITH ADDITIONAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS