Marika Day: 4 ways you can help the environment with your food choices

The choices we make when shopping for food don’t just affect what goes on our plate, they also directly impact the wellbeing of the environment. By switching up just a few habits when shopping for fruit, veg, meat and seafood, we’ll see the benefits in both our personal health and the health of our planet.

It might not feel like you’re affecting a big change just by shopping for fruit and vegetables that are in season, but think of it this way: if something isn’t in season here in Australia, that usually means it’s been transported to your grocer or supermarket from another part of the world.

Buying local reduces transportation and is a big part of reducing the carbon footprint of your groceries. While not everyone has the opportunity to access something like a farmer’s market, trying to shop as close to the farmer as we possibly can helps to reduce the need for transport, refrigeration and storage.

Buying local, in-season produce means you’re getting the most delicious possible version of that tomato or strawberry at their peak for flavour. To help remind you of what’s coming in and out of season, try saving the food calendar from the CSIRO to your phone before your next shop. 

Some people might think you need to go vegetarian or vegan to make your diet more sustainable, but making small steps to replace a few meat or dairy products goes a long way. When lots of us adopt a new habit – like implementing a meat-free Monday into our meal plan – it has a considerable impact on the environment.

Farming meat and dairy uses a lot of water, and studies have shown cattle are the number one agricultural source of greenhouse gases worldwide. Australians tend to eat a lot of red meat, but considering its especially high carbon footprint, cutting down your consumption and replacing it with wholefoods can not only improve your health, but the environment’s as well.

When it comes to buying and eating seafood, making sustainable choices is especially important. We’re overfishing our oceans quite a lot, and need to make sure the balance is maintained to ensure their health in the future.

Responsible fishing and farming preserves the natural environment of the ocean and the marine life that call it home. GoodFish, Australia’s sustainable seafood guide, keeps information up-to-date – and they even have an app, so you can double-check that tuna you’re buying at the market or fishmonger gets the seal of approval.

This one might seem obvious, but reducing food waste is one of the most significant things you can do to help the environment.

Right now, one-third of the world’s food is wasted, and here in Australia that accounts for around 3% of our annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Try to plan ahead when you shop by relying on your freezer to keep meats, seafood and some fresh, seasonal produce frozen to eat later on – or buying local produce that’s been snap-frozen at the source.

The benefits of shopping small, shopping local and planning ahead really begin to stack up when you consider the impacts of growing, transporting and packaging food – only for it to end up in landfill. And with just a few small, achievable tweaks to your shopping and eating habits, you can help make an enormous difference for the future wellbeing of the planet. 

Article 1: Marika Day: Nutrition for the everyday athlete
Article 2: 4 easy ways to reduce food waste
Article 3: Can a climatarian diet help save the planet?

Marika Day is a nutritionist and Accredited Practising Dietitian who knows what the body needs to function at its best. With more than five years’ experience in the health and fitness industry, Marika's holistic approach to diet and exercise is tried and true. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.