What does eating sustainably mean? It is a very complex topic and we still do not have a universal sustainable diet to follow. However, there definitely are ways to eat more sustainability without having to change your diet significantly.

Here are some tips to do so.

Shopping In-Season

Shopping for in-season fruit and vegetables is a good way to be more sustainable. In Ireland the current in-season (summer) fruit and vegetables include:

• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Blackberries
• Strawberries
• Gooseberries

You can find all the in-season fruit and vegetables per season here.

The reason to opt for in-season produce is due to the concept known as 'Food Miles'. Food miles is the distance food must travel from where it is grown to where it is consumed. If we eat more seasonal foods that can be made in Ireland, we are reducing the food miles.

Be mindful that a sustainable diet can encourage a lot of fruit and vegetables. However, out-of-season fruit and vegetables can eliminate any environmental benefits.

Therefore, putting emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced, fresh fruit and vegetables is a better choice. Along with canned and frozen food, reducing waste from spoiling.

Other tips to have a more sustainable diet include:

• Balance energy intake versus energy needs. Overeating is a major contributor to global food loss, so be mindful of eating above your nutritional needs.
• Opt for fish from certified fisheries.
• Be mindful of waste. There are plenty of delicious ways to cook with leftovers, you can use websites online to help you do so.
• Drink tap water over other beverages such as soft drinks and alcohol.
• Eat less high fat, sugar, and salt foods such as chocolate, crisps, burgers, sausages, and rasher.

So, by making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle you can become more sustainable!

Sustainability at GourmetFuel

If you would like to read more on this topic we have other sustainability blogs including Sustainability and our Environment, How to eat more Sustainable this Christmas and you can read more about our sustainability story here. We make all our meals to order, so we hold no extra stock and have no leftover meals. Along with our sustainable packaging, we are constantly striving to be more environmentally friendly.

References:

Local & Low Food Miles (bordbia.ie)

Explore Seasonal Fruit and Vegetables in Europe | Eufic

Over-eating is an obstacle to a sustainable global food supply. — The Nutrition Experts

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