Sustainable Eating Series || Sustainable Diets and Food Loss and Waste
Every year, one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted.
This equates to about 1.3 billion tons of food which is enough to feed at least 2 billion people! Food loss and waste occurs at all stages of the supply chain, from production to consumption and they are two parts of a major food problem.
Food loss occurs before it reaches consumers, while food waste occurs after food has been purchased. Food loss is often due to factors such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, and poor storage and transportation. While food waste is more often due to overconsumption, spoilage, and aesthetic concerns.
However, both food loss and waste have a number of negative consequences. They contribute to climate change, water pollution, and deforestation. They also waste resources such as land, water, and energy. In addition, food waste has a financial impact. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that food waste costs the global economy $1 trillion each year.
While this may seem to be primarily a systemic issue there are easy changes that we can adopt immediately that will have direct impacts on our food problem.
Sustainable diets are a key part of the solution to food loss and waste. A sustainable diet is one that meets the nutritional needs of individuals and societies while minimizing environmental impacts. A new report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has found that plant-based diets have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use. The report, titled "Bending the Curve: The Restorative Power of Planet-Based Diets," found that if everyone in the world adopted a plant-based diet, we could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%, land use by up to 40%, and water use by up to 70%. Eating a sustainable diet is not only wonderful for the planet, but it can also be beneficial for your health. Plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
It is important to note that plant-based diets don't necessarily translate to meatless diets. There are actually several plant-based dietary options as someone considers how to begin eating more sustainably. Flexitarians eat primarily plant-based but allow for minimal to moderate animal-source food consumption, including meat, eggs, and dairy. Pescatarians replace meat with two-thirds fish and seafood and one-third fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians replace meat with two-thirds legumes and one-third fruit and vegetables. Vegans replace all animal-source foods with two-thirds legumes and one-third fruit and vegetables.
Making the switch to a sustainable diet may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be.
Start slowly. Don't try to transform your entire diet overnight–instead make small changes such as adding more fruits, vegetables, and legumes to your meals. A flexitarian diet may be a suitable place to start. The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health found that premature mortality could be reduced for up to 11 million people by a shift toward a healthy Flexitarian diet. Also, there are many plant-based groups and organizations that can provide support and resources such as books, blogs, or even recipe recommendations. Getting involved in your community is an excellent way to access these resources.
By eating less meat and more plant-based foods, we can reduce the amount of land and water needed to produce food. We can also reduce food waste by buying only what we need, storing food properly, and composting food scraps.
Below are a few key takeaways to get started. Feel free to share these tips with family, friends, and your community!
Food Waste and Food Loss:
Buy only what you need. This is one of the most important things you can do to reduce food waste. Before you go shopping, prepare a list of the foods you need and stick to it.
Store food properly. Food that is stored properly will actually last longer than best buy dates. Follow the storage instructions on food labels.
Cook only what you will eat. Avoid cooking too much food, as this can lead to leftovers that will go to waste. If you do cook too much food, freeze or donate the leftovers.
Compost food scraps. Food scraps can be composted and used to fertilize plants. This is a great way to reduce food waste and help the environment.
Educate others about food loss and waste. Talk to your friends, family, and community members about the importance of reducing food waste.
Eating a Sustainable Diet:
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Choose whole grains over refined grains.
Choose lean protein sources, such as beans, lentils, and tofu.
Limit your intake of meat, especially red meat. Red meat is best procured from a local source with low-carbon farming practices.
Limit your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks.
Eat locally and seasonally whenever possible.
Together, we can make a difference!