Childhood Obesity Project

Eating “Green” as a Family

Alyssa Rider, Dietetic Intern, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Everything we do has an impact on the planet, whether it is for better or worse. Many families are choosing to live greener lives, being more eco-friendly with the cars they drive, the clothes they wear, whether or not they leave the light on when out of the room, and even with the foods they purchase. Now more than ever we can make a difference, and it starts with your family.

Corner the Market: Shopping at your local Farmer’s Market decreases the distance (an average of 1,500 miles!) your food will have to travel to reach your plate, and therefore, fewer carbon emissions are released in order to feed your family! Carbon emissions, also known as greenhouse gas emissions, are causing climate change. Small steps like shopping local can help reduced such production. Local produce has longer to ripen so there is less need to be sprayed later with artificial growth enhancers or coloring you may find in some grocery stores. Hands down the most important reason to shop local is to support your local farmers while feeding your family!

Green Your Grocery Cart: Small steps such as limiting visiting to the meat aisle can play a role in your efforts to go “green.” Livestock (mostly cattle) accounts for roughly 18% of total greenhouse gases emissions worldwide. Substitute red meat with vegetables, chicken, or eggs as little as one day a week and you are already making a difference! Ready to check out? Make sure you have your reusable bags! Plastic Bags are hard on the environment as they litter the landscape, contaminate soil, and water and hurt hundreds of thousands of marine mammals. Reusable bags are so common these days you can pick them up at your local grocery store, but they serve more functions then just carrying your groceries. Use your reusable bag as a tote or a purse when you have a lot to carry. And with a price tag of $1 or so each, they are more than worth the price.

Cook up Less Carbon at Home: Did you know 94% of the heat from ovens is wasted? Fill your oven with multiple dishes to get more edible “bang for your buck.” Bake small items, such as potatoes, in a toaster oven or microwave for less heat wasted. Next time you are cooking pasta, save a bit of energy by doing the following 1) place dry noodles in water 2) let them boil for two minutes 3) extinguish the flame and cover the pot for the rest of the cooking time according to the package. Going green is that easy! Lastly, running a full load in the dishwasher user less water than washing by hands. Air dry your dishes instead of using the “heated dry” option to save even more energy.

Planet-Pleasing Plates: Reduce waste and you waistline with portion control! When you waste food, you waste the energy used to grow, transport, and cook it. Use smaller dishware to keep portions in check and to reduce the likelihood of wasting excess foods.

Also when you eat at home you are reducing food waste, packaging, and all the energy used to operate a restaurant. Bonus: meals at home are not only environmentally friendly, they’re budget friendly too!

Good for the Globes, To-Go! When it comes time to packing your child’s lunch, don’t forget the “green” gear! Reusable food containers, lunch boxes, silverware, and water bottles may have an initial cost, but over time is much cheaper. If you were to buy single-use plastic water bottles three times a week for an entire year, you would pay an estimated $540. A reusable water bottle may expense you $5 and will last a lifetime! Reusable products are also easy on the conscious; it feels good to keep disposable products from being piled high in wastelands, doesn’t it?