Diet for a Healthier Planet

I panicked immediately after I signed up to participate in Blog Action Day. What in the heck does a personal fitness/weight loss blog have to do with the environment? How can the choices those of us who are on this journey make a difference to the world at large? Can we make a difference? After a few months of pondering, I realized that there are indeed ways to positively impact the planet as we seek newer, healthier selves:

1. Opt for filtered water over bottled water. In 2001, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported that around 1.5 million tons of plastic are used each year to bottle 89 billion liters of water. Yes, we can recycle plastic containers, but do we really need to? How can we use our local water supply safely? Check out allaboutwater.org for all the info you can use about making your drinking water safe. (At minimum: why not commit to reusing half –or more—of the bottles you do consume?)

2. Eat less meat. Easy for a vegetarian, less so for those of us whose bodies like meat. But did you know that reducing our meat consumption (even by as little as 15%) would greatly reduce our risk of heart disease, diabetes, or stroke? Why, yes, you say, I do know that, but what’s it got to do with the environment? Some sources report that livestock production is responsible for up to 18% of greenhouse gases created by humans. Factor in the amount of water required and the number of forests destroyed in favor of grazing land, and you have even more reasons to reduce your consumption of meat. You can find more info at eatlessmeat.org (At minimum: try going meatless one day per week. You can find some great tips here.)

3. Buy fewer packaged products. You need more fresh foods anyway. By shopping the outer aisles of most grocery stores (bakery, fruits/vegetables, dairy, meat), you’ll cut down on sodium and other chemicals, for one thing, and for another, you eliminate a lot of packaging that will likely end up in a landfill.

4. Buy organic and buy local, when possible. You eliminate those messy chemicals used in production and the noxious fuel consumed in transportation. Oh, and don’t forget to get yourself some re-usable canvas grocery bags. Opt out on paper AND plastic.

5. Walk your errands every chance you get. I’ve been doing this lately, and it’s a great way to get my minutes in and accomplish tasks like going to the dry cleaner and pharmacy. The book store is 1.2 miles in the other direction, and I’m planning on making that a regular walk, too. (It will help me physically, but it will also reduce the number of books I buy!)

6. Commit to carrying a sack and a pair of gloves on your walking route just one day per week. As you’re walking, pick up any trash you see and take it to your own garbage can/recycle bin. You’ll get extra exercise, your neighborhood will look better, and fewer items will be headed down the drain and into a local river or stream.

Those are just a handful of ways we can improve our environment as we improve ourselves. If you have more, I’d love to hear them.