Mom Tips For Going Green: Protect your health, save the planet
Q: How can I go green when shopping at the grocery store?
A: Naturopathic MD Karen van der Veer tells use how.
1) Use reusable grocery bags or recycle already used grocery bags (keep a stash in the back of your car or a truly compact one in your purse/diaper bag). Every bag counts.
2) Pay attention to where your food comes from and buy local when you can. Local farmer's markets are a great source for food and other goods. Ask your grocery store to promote and label locally grown products as such. Pay attention to the origins of any frozen foods and avoid foods from China or other far-removed places.
3) Buy and eat organic. Non-organically produced foods have a tremendously negative impact on your health and that of your growing baby and children, not to mention our planet. Encourage your grocery store to carry more organic items but to boycott "organic foods" produced in countries like China, whose standards are questionable and whose labor practices are unethical.
4) Buy and eat seasonally=less transport, cheaper, greater variety in your diet. If it is in season it is more likely shipped from a closer source: for example coming from the U.S. instead of South America or China.
5) Garden. Even a small garden of your own can reduce your grocery bill, give you better food with more nutrition due to its freshness and assurance of organic status. Green house gases are reduced when no petroleum is used for transport.
6) If you are a meat eater, reducing your meat consumption by 25-50% is monumentally better for you and the planet, not to mention more economical. Reserve meat consumption to one meal per day or one meal every other day or to use meat as a way to season soups, salads and stir-frys instead of eating a large portion. Beans, lentils and legumes have much more to offer nutritionally than most meat. Just one note of caution: do not make any dramatic transitions in your diet during pregnancy or lactation without medical consult and supervision...By all means, you may contact Dr. van der Veer for this purpose.
7) Buy from the bulk section as much as you can. It is not only cheaper, it is also usually much fresher (especially in a busy grocery store) and involves less packaging and weight in transportation.
8) Truly make an effort not to waste food. Make at least two nights a week, leftovers night and don't forget to have last night's dinner for lunch today. If you like juicing, try blending instead...making smoothies with the whole fruit or vegetable instead of juicing it gives you a lot more nutrition and fiber with less waste.
9) Make your own baby food. Get a food processor and combine healthy whole foods such as ripe pears, cooked brown rice and fresh kale then freeze in ice cube trays. Defrost and heat only what you need.
10) Take your lunch to work. You are more apt to eat healthy foods and to waste less of what you have at home. Save money, reduce fuel waste and packaging.
11) Eat more raw foods. Reduce your electric and gas fuel consumption by eating a diet that is 30-50% raw foods. Benefit from higher nutrient content and reduce your environmental impact by using smarter cooking techniques, when you do cook, such as reducing the heat and cooking for shorter periods.
Dr. van der Veer is a licensed primary care Naturopathic physician specializing in natural pregnancy, postpartum and childhood health. You can schedule a medical phone consult by calling 602. 502. 1122 or visiting mynaturallywellbaby.com
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