Every Meal Matters: Eating Our Way to a Healthier Planet
If the dire predictions surrounding the UN climate talks in Glasgow this week have you itching to do something, consider your dinner choice tonight.
What you choose to eat is one of the easiest, and least expensive ways you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Food and the food system that delivers it are responsible for one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions (source: Nature Food). To give one eye-popping example that comes to us from Jamais Cascio in the Cheeseburger footprint, consumption of cheeseburgers is responsible for similar carbon output to all the SUV’s in the United States.
PHA supports many other changes to the food system, like devoting more production to nutritious crops and building more infrastructure to support produce. But while we wait for those changes, individuals can make a difference one meal at a time.
Consider the burger.
Between 3.6 and 6.1 Kilograms of carbon is produced by raising the cow, feeding it, and turning it into a cheeseburger (click here to see the rest of the math).
Meanwhile, fruits, beans, vegetables, and nuts have low carbon footprints. They are also health bombs – high in fiber and nutrients, but low in saturated fat with zero added sugar. As the EAT Lancet report noted, a more than doubling of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and nuts is key to both human and planetary health.
It’s a happy coincidence that five of the foods best for the planet are not only great for our health, but also tend to cost less. That’s because the protein base of planet-friendly foods (beans and peas) is also less expensive than most animal-sourced protein.
So when you are listening to the news, if India’s pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2070 feels far away. Or if you are skeptical that Brazil will really end deforestation by 2028 as they and we hope… consider subbing in a great recipe for spiced chickpeas with rice and greens (here are some great recipes) for that steak next time.
Choosing spicy chickpeas and rice over a steak dinner is a threefer:
- It will be responsible for less CO2 than the steak,
- It will have less saturated fat and sodium than the steak,
- And it will cost far less than the steak.
Every meal matters and by reconsidering what you eat, you can make a difference for the planet now.
Our Work In Motion
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Renovation and Revitalization of Mississippi Delta Community Improves Access to and Visibility of Local Fruits and Vegetables
A renovation project focusing on a locally-owned corner store, alongside the revitalization of public spaces in Clarksdale, Mississippi seeks to provide access to fruits and vegetables and build healthy food systems in the Delta.
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School Meals Are a Daily Lifeline
School meals are a daily lifeline for millions of families who cannot afford consistent, nutritious meals for every member of their household. See them in action at one Mississippi elementary school.
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Filling the Summer Food Gap One Family At A Time
In the summer, millions of children lose access to meals they typically get at school, and family food budgets are stretched thin. That’s what’s called the summer food gap — and it can have devastating, long-term consequences for children. One way PHA is helping to fill the summer food gap is through our Good Food for All produce box program which provides families facing barriers to access with 50 servings of fresh and high quality fruits and vegetables for 12 weeks.
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Indianapolis Mayor, Instacart, and Partnership for a Healthier America Celebrate Expanded Nutrition Security Program Connecting Indianapolis Families with Nutritious Food
New Instacart technology connects families in need with free food delivery and monthly funds to spend on produce. Kicking off in Indianapolis, new Instacart and PHA partnership to bring Fresh Funds to cities across the country.
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Taking SNAP Benefits from Families Perpetuates a Cycle of Inequitable Access
As PHA works with partners across every sector to improve Food Equity - from the charitable food system to local, state and the Federal government - it's important to protect critical programs like SNAP that help millions of families access nutritious good food every day. That's why we were so disappointed to see the reduction to benefits starting March 1, that cut monthly food benefits as much as 40% for many working families and seniors on fixed incomes that rely on the program.