Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To live a healthy life, you should never skip breakfast. Instead of buying your breakfast on the go, you can easily prepare your breakfast in the morning with simple ingredients, which is easy to prepare, healthy and the best part is you could promote sustainability with what you eat. We can really help to save our planet and reduce our carbon foot print by eating sustainable food.

What is sustainable food?

Most people would agree that sustainable food is a good thing. Using sustainable farming methods as well as cooking and preparing food in a sustainable manner can reduce the negative impacts on the globe. But we are often asked the question, “What exactly does sustainable food mean?” The meaning of sustainability varies slightly depending on who answers the question.

Sustainable agriculture was defined by US Congress in the 1990 “Farm Bill.” The law described that sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of agricultural practices, producing animals and plants having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:

• Satisfy human needs for nutrition and fiber.
• Enhance the environment and natural resources upon which the agriculture is based on.
• Make the most efficient use of natural, non-renewable and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls.
• Sustain the economic viability of farm operations.
• Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.

(Source: What Is Sustainable Food?)

Why does food sustainability matter?

The way we purchase, store and prepare food can have a profound effect on the environment. We have plenty of sustainable choices of food when we go food shopping at the grocery store. We also have the choice of buying food from local farmers at the farmer’s market. However most of the food we’d find at the grocery store is not sustainable food. Most of the food that we buy at the supermarket depends on oil imported from foreign countries, destroying the soil, contaminating the water and depleting the environment. Food is transported, processed, stored and distributed using huge amounts of fossil fuel and non-renewable energy sources, increasing carbon footprint.

What is sustainable eating?

To support sustainability, you should read the labels before you buy. If the food is labeled “organic” it is more sustainable because there are strict government regulations regarding organic farming. Also look for the state of origin. The closer to home the food was produced the better it is in reducing carbon footprint because it didn’t have to travel too much before reaching the shelves of the grocery store.

Sustainable food is the kind of food our bodies were designed to consume. It does not harm environment, humans or the ecosystem. Even if you grow your own fruits and vegetables in your garden using organic methods, without toxic chemicals, pesticides or chemical fertilizers, your food would be sustainable food. Buying seasonal fruits and vegetables from your local farmers’ market will also ensure that you are buying sustainable food.

5 Quick sustainable breakfast ideas

As we have mentioned above, you should never skip breakfast. Below are 5 quick breakfast ideas that you can eat before you get out and face your day.

1. Fruits and cheese

This is a nutritious breakfast that you can prepare and eat in a jiffy, while walking out the door. Just grab an apple, make a few slices, add 1-2 ounces of cheddar and some walnuts, and you have a healthy well balanced breakfast.

2. Peanut butter waffle

Eat a high protein and high fiber diet and cut the calories. Instead of dousing a whole-grain or bran toaster waffle in syrup, spread some peanut butter. Sprinkle some raisins on it if you like it sweet.

3. Plain doughnut with 1% milk

Eating a whole grain cake style doughnut is healthier than eating bakery muffins. Wash it down with 1% low fat milk. Add some nuts for a boost in vitamin E, fiber and Omega-3 heart healthy fatty acids.

4. Oatmeal

Take a bowl of oatmeal and add your favorite fruits such as apples, peaches or raisins. Add some organic yogurt and honey for sweetness – makes an excellent delicious meal.

5. Freshly made juices and smoothies

Add freshly squeezed fruit juices from apples, oranges or pineapples. A healthy juice can be added to any breakfast or could become a nutritious vitamin rich breakfast on its own. You can also make smoothies by adding a banana, apple or mango to a glass of milk and mixing them together in your blender.

Eating healthy is not only good for your health, but can also takes a bite out of global warming and our carbon footprints. Always start your day with a sustainable healthy breakfast, and you will feel the energy to face your day, as well as have the peace of mind of knowing that you did something positive for yourself and for the globe.

Have any healthy recipes? We’d love to hear your own ideas. Please don’t forget to share!

Source: Balanced Life Team