Do you think you know enough about the food that you eat regularly? The things we eat play a huge role in our lives and have a big impact on both our health and the environment around us. However, even though this is such a central aspect of our lives, there are still quite a few of us who don’t know some food facts that we really ought to. For instance, do you know how food relates to climate change? If not, it’s time to widen your food knowledge. What you read below may shock you.
1. Livestock Contributes To The Greenhouse Effect
Looking after livestock and ensuring that it turns into meat that is suitable for human production requires industrial farming methods. And these are having a dramatic effect on the environment. In fact, between 14.5 to 18 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock farming.
But there are farms and companies that are trying to change this climate change problem. You can learn more about one such company by following the link. This huge environmental impact of livestock is just one of the reasons why the world’s vegetarian population is on the rise.
2. Food Facts: 1/3 Of Food Goes to Waste
While cooking, you will probably throw some old ingredients out. You might even throw out some leftovers if you and your family don’t eat everything made for a meal. While you might not give this a second thought, it can really add up when looking at this activity on a global scale.
About a third of food made for human consumption in the world gets wasted. So, it’s important to try and reduce your food waste. That’s because disposing of it using industrial methods can be bad for the environment. Plus, with so many people starving in this world, it’s sad to see food go to waste!
Positive change CAN start at the individual level. If you find that food has spoiled then obviously don’t eat it. But why not compost it instead of throwing it out? Or, even better, try and not cook too much food for each meal.
3. The Food Industry Must Adapt To Climate Change
So far, climate change hasn’t had too bad an effect on the food industry. However, it is thought that this stability won’t last for much longer.
Many experts believe that the whole food and farming industry needs to start adapting, and do so soon. Climate change could soon start to reduce annual crop yields, which could provide food shortages around the world.
Did you know that going vegan can have environmental benefits? For example, eating plants provides the opportunity to slow down greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Meat Links To Certain Health Conditions
Another of the food facts to know about is that eating too much meat, especially processed meat, can increase the risk of specific health issues. This includes people suffering from health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Well, now that list of diseases and illnesses is starting to increase as more researcher look at meat and the conditions that it can cause. Many health experts advise people to limit their intake of red meat and have a few completely meat-free days during the week, if possible.
Once you start to learn more about the food and ingredients that you eat, you will fully understand how your diet can impact your health and the world around you. Eventually, you’ll be able to make changes for the better by knowing more food facts!
Great post! Very informative. Now to get my husband to read this…
Very informative post 👍
Wow. This was a very informative and thought-provoking article. Keep up the hard, yet important work.
Thank you for sharing!
I like this a lot. Food and climate change is so important but so overlooked
Hi Christy…
Informative and thought provoking as over the past several years I have become more and more aware of where my food has come. As you know I lived in the north, wild game became a part of my foods. Later I raised my own beef and knew where it came from. I avoid all sorts of processed foods. ( with the exception of Mars Bars and M&M’s)
Now I am far more careful in my food selection. Leftovers are a part of my diet as I hate to see food go to waste. Any leftover can be made into another meal with a little time and a little care… Great article…
Hugs as always…
Yes and that’s why I’m vegan. Thanks for sharing!!
Always helpful christy
Thanks Christy for sharing such meaningful points about food. Great post👍🏼
I’ve definitely cut out a lot of meat, especially red meat, for its environmental impact. I was a vegetarian for years because of animal abuses.
The waste is the thing I feel the most. For the past year I’ve subscribed to a service that sends me only exactly as much as I need to make recipes for 2, which has been much better. Our culture likes to sell things in mega packs, which isn’t practical for small households.
great post Christy! We just watched Forks over Knives recently, and it finally helped my husband see that he was eating way too much meat, especially red meat.
Very informative! Great post!
Allow me to say something that might sound super weird. I just can’t eat beef without a really heavy, bloated feeling. Is it possible to lack the enzymes for beef digestion?
Thank you for these reminders.
I’ve been a vegetarian for over 10 years and i do not regret it.
This is very important information, Christy. While I would have trouble convincing my family to give up meat entirely, this is a good argument for limiting our consumption of it.
Very useful reminder Christy. Especially with so many illnesses linked to food, it’s so important to be well-informed and to practice it.Thanks.
I appreciate you. Thank you for sharing this important information here. You’re right, we need to know this and not bury our heads in the sand. Thanks again! ~ Blessings, KK
I love animals ……and anyway the earth is having problems as is with using animals as a source of protein.
Sending love to you.. and to animals <3
Hi Christy,
in our culture is to eat a lot of meat. Especially red meat,which is very heavy for the body,and not so healthy. Good alternative is white meat, or blue meat like some types of fish. Thank you for valuable post
Very useful and knowledgeable!
Thanks Christy! :)
GO VEGAN .. or VEGGIE! ❤️🧡💙🧡💛
Thank you for this article!
Thank you for the overview, Christy! Food knowledge is very important!
Very important points ..keep going Christy…