I came across the "Double Food Pyramid" from the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition. It shows how healthy eating and environmental sustainability are integrated with each other.
Foods that we should try to limit and choose less often are meats. Meat is a good source of high-quality protein, which is important for growth and muscle building. However, we really don't need as much meat as the current population is consuming. Meats (especially red meats) contain saturated fats, which are linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
Meat also has a larger detrimental impact on the environment. Raising animals creates greenhouse gas emissions (aka. cows fart methane gas).
The foods on the environmental pyramid that are best for the environment are fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Plant-based foods are also great for your health and there is much evidence that plant-based foods can help prevent chronic diseases. These foods are low in saturated fats and high in fiber and nutrients. A combination of grains and legumes can also provide all 8 essential amino acids that your body needs to build muscle!
Healthy eating is a win-win situation for your body and the environment! For more info on the double food pyramid, read this
position paper.
Comments (15)
I can still chow down on PASTA~!! WOOHOO!! J/k...kinda. not only is raising animals all that, too much meat can make you constipated. People should have like half a plate of veggies & a piece of meat the size of a deck of cards ideally right?? I read this periodically but my focus is more on the medical side, not the nutritional, although I read it to keep up with the times. And I have your blog as reference as well! ^^
Today's menu is mixed veggies with salmon! Yummy Yum Yum!! =)
By the way, are you gonna make anymore videos? I LOVE your youtube channel! <3
@Shinbi_Belldandy - A deck of cards is about the size of one serving of meat, but if you can incorporate more "meat alternatives" (ie. beans, legumes, soy) into your diet or to replace regular meat on some days, even better!
Making videos takes more time, but I definitely have some ideas running. Thanks for your kind words! I definitely liked making videos. However, I made all my Youtube videos when I was on vacation... It's a bit harder now, but I'm trying to be more active on Xanga ;)
I remember talking about this in college during a biology class. The amount of vegetables needed to feed a cow during its lifetime is just incredible.
@kachino - Agree. That's where it goes into food sustainability. I don't know much on the topic, but I'm trying to learn more. Our current food system is unsustainable in the long run. Farming so many animals takes +++ resources. The time to raise them, the amount of land required to let them roam/eat/fart, the food you have to feed them.... then when it comes to slaughtering, is the amount of food that comes back worth all those resources? Poor cow :(
Amazing how these things work out
@theHealthRabbit - Exactly! It's pretty interesting to see all the impact of animal farming have on the environment. Bottom line, it's definitely not the most efficient way to produce food.
interesting
That's the first time I've seen that image before. Look at you, updating twice already! I approve of this.
I agree, just eating meat does not makes me full, but having rice and veggie does fill me up~!
I'm pretty much vegetarian now, aside from the occasional venture into seafood (shrimp or oily fish). I didn't think I could do it, considering existing health problems that make it hard for me to put on weight, but I've actually gained weight since doing the veggie thing. My proteins mostly come from seeds, beans, cheese, eggs, and a small amount of nuts. I'm not a strict vegetarian, obviously, but I do my best to balance my health with my carbon footprint.
Meats aren't environmentally friendly for more reasons than methane, also. The herds of animals can contribute to erosion, use a lot of chemicals to maintain (medications, insect repellants), and contend with native species for habitat. :)
cow farts aren't the biggest concern, lol. actually, the idea behind that is a loss of energy with every level of consumption. for example, a cow might be worth 100,000 calories in steak, but the cow had to eat 500,000 calories of grass to grow. so, it'd be more efficient for us to just eat the grass! but steak tastes so good =(.
RAWR! I'm subbing! I believe RLT has already told you that, but yeah...
RAWR RAWR RAWR!
Very informative Elizabeth.
@figachewy - Kobe beef must be worse then. They are fed beer/sake and get massaged :P
@Mangonese - I am trying to move towards more vegetarian foods too! Meats do not last long in the fridge anyway, so at home, I'm finding vegetarian foods to be much more convenient. Thanks for your information! I learned something :)
@fLiPgUy31O - Hi Flip <3 What is RLT? I looked it up, but there are several different definitions. Whatever RLT is, it didn't tell me... Alex did :) He always talks about you. Now I call you "Flip" too.