You Are What You Eat

Photo Credit: Laurence Cook

So I don’t want to add to this minefield of conflicting information. What I do want to do is examine our eating habits from an environmental point of view, and show that when it comes to food shopping in an ethical and environmentally friendly way, it really is surprisingly simple. And on top of that, better for our health too.

The Fairtrade partnership is something that has drawn media attention recently due to Cadburys’ chocolate acquiring Fairtrade status. However, there are many other everyday products that carry this symbol that people may be unaware of. Basics such as tea, coffee, sugar and fruit can all be purchased with a Fairtrade logo, albeit at a slightly higher cost. But it is these few added extra pennies that are paying a fair wage for the person in the developing world who harvested the product, as well as adding to its quality.

Buying local produce is also an important part of looking after the environment. Why buy apples from Spain when you can buy ones from England? Buying locally helps to support the local and national economy. Food from abroad has created pollution in its transportation. Buying loose fruit and veg - not pre-packed - also reduces the amount of non-biodegradable landfill waste. Shopping at local markets is an excellent way to do this, as the most packaging you’ll get is a brown paper bag. In York, there is a market selling all kinds of fruits and vegetables, which takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in a square off Parliament Street.

Buying organic products can contribute towards our health as well as the environment. Fruit and vegetables that are produced without the herbicides and pesticides that farmers use to enhance their crops and produce a higher yield do not contain any harmful chemicals that may be of risk to us. This also means that the soil and wildlife where the products are grown benefit from the organic way of farming.

Ready meals and long-life products are also a source of unwanted chemicals such as additives and preservatives, which have been proven to increase the risk of cancer developing. Really, the only way to avoid them is try and make your own meals, as that way you know exactly what has gone into your food.

So in essence, living on a diet of local fruit, vegetables, and homemade meals is not only good for yourself, but helping to preserve the environment for generations to come. It may seem like rather a leap to make at first, but when the joys of wondering around a market looking at the array of enticing vegetables are discovered, it becomes a pleasure.

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