The Most Sustainable Foods To Eat In 2022
2022-01-27
We love to talk about sustainability and if it's about recipes; even more so! Take a look at the most sustainable foods in 2022
Here at La Española Olive Oil, we love writing about sustainability and offering tips on how to live a more environmentally friendly life.
2022 is all about new beginnings, and for many of us, that starts with what we eat.
Food is fuel, and it is one of life’s great pleasures. But making small changes to the food we consume can go a long way towards ensuring the healthy future of our planet.
Certain foods are particularly sustainable for the environment, as well as being good for our bodies.
This week on the blog, we take a look at some of the most sustainable foods to enjoy in 2022.
Organic fruits and vegetables
Organic fruit and vegetables may be a little bit more of a financial investment than regular varieties, but the production of them is also extremely mindful of the environment. Organic fruit and veg isn’t just packed with vitamins and nutrients, but it is also free of harmful pesticides, chemicals and other nasties. This means fresher, higher-quality food for you, and a more positive impact on the environment as well.
Rice
Rice may seem like an everyday pantry staple, but it is actually becoming one of the most sustainable foods you can buy. While rice has a relatively small methane footprint, it uses a lot less water than other crops and is relatively easy to grow. The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) is working with global rice growers to ensure it is produced in a way that lowers any negative impact on the environment.
Seaweed
Seaweed is great for the body. It is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals and high in iodine, calcium and iron. It’s also delicious. But did you know that seaweed is one of the most sustainable foods out there? Seaweed requires next to nothing extra to cultivate. It also takes what it needs from the sun and from its marine environment, while also ridding the sea around it from toxins. It also doesn’t use up land and is relatively easy to farm for many communities across the world.
Grass fed beef and lamb
Grass fed beef and lamb, as opposed to grain fed, makes for a healthier world around us. Why? Studies have found that grass fed cows emit lower greenhouse gases, and in their lifetime, will use 35% less water than the alternative. However, grass fed cows do require more land, so are less efficient for farming. The jury is still out on the wider impact of grass vs grain feeding, but many climate scientists believe that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Potatoes
Who doesn’t love potatoes? They are filling, delicious and can be used in a wide range of ways. Add to the benefits of potatoes the fact that they are highly sustainable for the environment, and you’re onto a winner. Potatoes don’t contribute much damage to the environment around them. They have a low water footprint and are plant-based, and if produced organically, are free of chemicals or pesticides. Potatoes have been found to be far more sustainable than pasta and rice.
Sardines
Fancy something a little fishy? On top of being rich in Omega-3, sardines are highly sustainable due to their quick growth rate and ease to catch. If you are going to choose between tuna and sardines, consider this. For every 2 kilos of tuna produced, you can produce almost 10 kilos of sardines. One way to know if specific sardine brands are sustainable is by always opting to buy from a brand authorised by a trusted certifying body. Australia’s largest sardine fishery is the South Australian Sardine Industry Association and is certified by the largest international accreditation body, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
La Española Olive Oil’s packaging is made from 100% recycled products and is also 100% recyclable. We have a mission to operate as sustainably as possible, and have now launched our Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil range across Australia. Find it at Coles nationwide.
