World Environment Day is an annual event celebrated globally on June 5. It is organized by the UN (United Nations) with the chief goal of safeguarding the environment for the present as well as future generations. This worldwide campaign was first conducted in 1974 and year after year since then, numerous activities are being held on World Environment Day, for raising awareness on pressing ecological concerns such as contaminating oceans, global warming and endangering wildlife.

The theme for World Environment Day 2021 is “Ecosystem Restoration”. It also launches the key project of the “United Nations Decade On Ecosystem Restoration 2021 – 2030”, which is set to carry out dedicated efforts to preserve the various ecosystems on Planet Earth over the next ten years. Prominent associations in countries around the world arrange activities on this day, to educate the general public on environmental conservation methods including planting more trees, making surroundings green especially in cities, cleaning local beaches, rivers, lakes and most importantly, encouraging people to adopt sustainable eating practices.

Sustainability has emerged as one of the top trending words in the years 2020 and 2021, and maybe even this past decade. As people adopted a highly materialistic lifestyle since the beginning of the new millennium in 2001, purchasing tonnes of commodities and products that they may not even use, it became more evident that one needs to be aware of how much the environment is affected due to our ways of living.

One major practice that people began to consciously follow was sustainable eating. It essentially involves purchasing food products and adopting eating habits in such a manner that benefits every family and community, without hampering the environment. In current times of COVID-19 lockdown, it is more important to not indulge in panic buying, hoarding groceries in the kitchen pantry and to actively support local farmers by consuming locally grown produce.
Also Read: COVID-19: This Is How You Should Wisely Stock Your Food Essentials During Lockdown

In fact, sustainable eating confers many health benefits, such as eating only required portions of food, maintaining healthy body weight, regulating metabolism, boosting immunity and enhancing physical and mental fitness. Here are some valuable tips to help you and your family develop sustainable eating habits at home and while going out, to ensure uplifted overall wellness.

5 Simple And Effective Ways To Develop Sustainable Eating Habits:

Create A Home Garden

Simply go to the grocer nearby and enquire of seeds available that can be easily grown at home. Plant some aromatic herbs such as coriander, basil and mint, as well as some vegetables like tomatoes and ladies finger either in your verandah, terrace or your backyard. Nurturing these crops with water, sunlight and nutrients will help you cultivate a positive attitude towards healthy organic products and eat fresh- home-cooked meals.

Buy Local Produce

Although many exotic plant varieties, fruits and vegetables like avocados, dragon fruit and zucchini are available at most shops nowadays, eating indigenous plants, beneficial and nourishing roots and medicinal herbs are the ideal way to be sustainable. Local farmers toil in the fields day and night to generate fresh produce. Hence buying these products assists in providing them livelihoods, as well as fosters optimal well-being.

Consume Seasonal Bounty

Gain some knowledge into what vegetables, fruits, herbs are actually in season at which time of the year, depending upon your geographical location in India. Eating a diet rich in seasonal plants ensures smooth digestion, healthy metabolism as well as uplifted physical and mental wellness. This is because seasonal crops will thrive under natural weather conditions and hence be free of pesticides and genetic modifications to a great extent.
Also Read: The Health Benefits Of Seasonal Vegetables

Do Not Waste Food

It has always been advised to us by our parents and elders in the family to not waste food. The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions across India made it difficult to procure even common fruits and vegetables. Hence, it Is vital to ration groceries, cook and eat only as required, not to throw away food even while eating at restaurants and keep the wellbeing of the entire community in mind, to ensure ample sustenance and nutrition for all during emergencies and in normal situations.

Follow A Plant-Based Diet

It is important to be aware of the consequences that our food and eating habits and trends have on the environment. Sustainability emphasizes that all people across the globe receive adequate food and nutrition, without causing much damage to the surrounding natural habitats. Since animal farming practices consume vast energy resources and release a lot of pollutants into the atmosphere, people can try to follow a plant-based diet of cereals, grains, flours and nuts, with only minimum animal-based foods.