The 5 Best Foods for the Environment--and the 5 Worst

[Rhiannon12866]

We make hundreds of food choices a week, for as many reasons—accessibility, taste, health, affordability and novelty among them. This is not a list of foods that one should or shouldn't eat; rather, this is additional information to help make those choices.

Consider the graph below. You might be surprised to see that some of your favorite foods—health benefits aside—have the greatest effects on the environment. It doesn't mean that you need to swear off avocados or chocolate altogether (can you imagine?), but the knowledge will help inform your food choices.

There is one very clear takeaway, though: Food that is sustainable is also incredibly nutritious. Your own health and the health of the planet go hand in hand.

According to a compilation of studies published in the journal Science, these foods rank highest and lowest in terms of greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain. These rankings take into consideration land use, emissions at the farm, animal feed, processing emissions for converting the items into sellable products, transportation, and food miles, as well as the energy needed at retail establishments (such as refrigerators) and emissions from the production of each product's packaging materials.


Much more: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/best-and-worst-foods-for-the-environment

[progree]

1. I was wondering about pork --

Consider reducing your beef consumption by even one meal per week. A study held in France found that swapping out beef for pork saved 30 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions that would have come from beef. Poultry has an even smaller climate footprint than pork.

They didn't say anything about pork as far as health, but I've read elsewhere that it's as bad as beef.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Well, meat in general has a significantly larger environmental footprint

Though pigs do take up less space and use less resources than cows. I can't remember the last time I consumed pork, but I imagine it depends on how it's cooked. When I think of it, I remember the Shake 'n Bake pork chops that my mother made once in a great while.

I was pleased to see mushrooms on the "best foods" list. I'd be happy to eat nothing else.

[snpsmom]

3. I don't eat pork

but not for environmental reasons. I learned that they are able to play video games, and I just can't anymore.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. And I imagine that any of us who remember seeing "Babe" have a problem with it...

[llmart]

11. I never eat pork.

I lived in North Carolina for ten years. Read up on the environmental impact on groundwater from the commercial pig farms found in the state. It's pretty disgusting.

[progree]

12. Pretty much the same for any kind of meat production

I'm not aware that pork production results in more shit per pound of meat produced than any other. Its all an unsustainable mess. Just like driving our F150's and SUVs. Just like cruises and international trips. Just like insisting one's home temperature be within half a degree of perfect.

I am almost a vegetarian - I have a meal with meat when I eat out maybe 3 or 4 times A MONTH. And an occasional turkey sandwich at home, maybe 4 a month at most (a couple of thin slices). Other than that I am meatless. For humanitarian and environmental reasons.

Maybe I've had 3 pork dishes when eating out in the last 2 YEARS (and none at home). I don't eat bacon.

I'm not perfect, but I try. I haven't driven for nearly 2 years, nor taxi'd nor Ubered, just an occasional bus trip (I do have a license and a car and up-to-date registration and plenty of money, it's not that I can't or shouldn't other than environmental reasons).

Most horrifyingly of all, I'm sure, I've never owned a dog, sure would like one, I think of my childhood dog several times a day, but I read that the environmental footprint of a medium-sized dog is the same as driving an SUV. I can't justify that in my own mind. And the vets bills that should instead be going to worthy causes. Like I gave my farm away in 2016 (full disclosure: I got a charitable gift annuity in return, so after figuring the statistical benefit of an annuity and the tax savings, I only gave away an estimated net of $125,000. But I do try. I really do. )

[llmart]

13. Sounds about like my diet except for I rarely eat meat.

I get a hankering for a roast chicken now and then and if I'm invited to someone's place for dinner I don't make a stink about what I will and won't eat. I think that's rude. My meals are sort of odd but I'm a senior and you just can't eat as much as you used to when your metabolism slows down. I'm not a big person to begin with.

I did not know that about owning a dog. I lost my dog two years ago and I'm an avid dog lover, but I won't have another - not because of the environment but because I'm 72 and my dogs usually live for 15/16 years. I don't think it's fair to get one at my age.

The one episode I clearly remember from North Carolina was when millions of gallons of pig waste ended up in the ocean because of some sort of breach. It may have happened during a hurricane. I don't remember all the details, but reading about it in a newspaper for days on end I learned how little regulation they had there for the commercial pig farms. I also remember when a chicken processing plant caught fire and workers died trying to get out the exits which were locked because the owner didn't want his low-paid employees to steal any chicken for their meals. That infuriated a lot of people. Could have been a Perdue factory. I won't eat any chicken from places that do not raise their chickens humanely and free range. So, yes I pay an arm and a leg for a chicken every now and then but because I rarely eat them I can afford to do that. I rarely eat out and of course haven't since the pandemic. Can't even bother to get takeout. I have always thought that most restaurants nowadays are all about quantity and not quality, so people get too much food of which most of it is mediocre. I've read that 40% of all food in this country is wasted. That in and of itself pains me.

I have always driven small compact cars. Since I'm retired I drive about 4,000 miles per year. The thing that I worry about the most is all the air travel that people are now taking. I doubt any of them think about that ecological footprint. I've never been on a cruise and have never had a desire to go on one, but I do like to see the country, mostly National Parks. I have always wanted to go to Europe but then the pandemic hit, and now the desire is actually not as strong as it used to be, but that's probably because I'm getting older. I too have plenty of money to live on, but I have lived my life frugally most of my adult years so I'm just not into spending money just to spend it. I don't accumulate things and stuff and have just enough that my home is nice but very uncluttered.

I'm impressed that you gave your farm away.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Well, my dogs would exist whether or not they were my responsibility

Aside from the cocker spaniel I grew up with - who I adored - all my pups have been rescue and all have been seniors except for my current dog, pet shop rescue who I adopted at 5 months and he just turned 15 last month. He's a bit overweight at 24 lbs.

[progree]

15. If no one adopted them, they would have been put to sleep. Or that's how

it is with most rescues. I had a friend who worked in one.

[Rhiannon12866]

16. I certainly hope not!

I got them from reputable rescue organizations! And that means I had to qualify as a responsible owner.

[progree]

17. "Reputable" ones never put any to death? What happens to the ones that

nobody adopts?

We humans and our food animals and our companion animals have pretty much taken over the earth and sent many many many animal species into extinction. That's one reason I gave my farm to Population Connection -- to let other wildlife -- most who aren't cuddly or suitable for raising for food -- have a chance.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. You'd be surprised, there are people dedicated to fostering and finding homes for all kinds of dogs

I adopted my beloved Barney at age 10 or 11, another cocker spaniel who had never lived in a home and was not housebroken. His foster mom did a wonderful job with him and I really had to pass muster before I was allowed to adopt him. And he turned out to be the sweetest dog with the best temperament and I had him for 8 wonderful years. I love my dogs.

[progree]

19. Yes, I know. And because they were adopted, they are causing the environmental

Last edited Sat Apr 24, 2021, 03:11 AM - Edit history (1)

impacts that I discussed upthread -- about the equivalent in greenhouse gasses as an SUV for a medium sized dog. And all the land use going into meat food raising (most inhumanely).

If they had not been adopted, they would be put to sleep. Some are adopted. Some are not. The ones who are put to sleep do not cause the environmental damage that we don't need.

You'd be surprised, there are people dedicated to fostering and finding homes for all kinds of dogs

I'd be surprised? Like I'm too heartless to understand that people care about their pets? As I said upthread, I think of my childhood dog several times a day and wish I had one. But I also care about the environment and the non-cuddly, non-economic wildlife who are being displaced by our need to be validated by companion animals who were bred over millenia to like us. If the planet is to survive -- and forms of life above the lowest level are to survive -- we need to start living sustainably.

[Rhiannon12866]

20. I also care about wildlife as do most of us on DU, there is an abundance of wildlife where I live

But I also care about animals in general, also like most of us on DU, including pets. And DU is a site that has a forum entirely devoted to Pets and another for Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights - while LOL Cats is generally the most popular thread of the week. Being opposed to pets is not something one would expect to run into here.

[progree]

21. I'm just pointing out the environmental and the humane impacts on food animals

Last edited Sat Apr 24, 2021, 01:27 PM - Edit history (2)

and wildlife. Being oblivious to these is not something I expect to find in DU and especially in the E&E group either.

Being opposed to pets is not something one would expect to run into here.

We are going to have to live differently and make some very hard choices if we are going to save much of this planet for the dwindling number of species, including our own and our favorite animals, that are left.

there is an abundance of wildlife where I live

OMG, since we have a few reserves for wildlife, it's all OK? Insect populations declining like 8% a decade or whatever the number is? Fish in the ocean down like 90% in 50 years?

There's plenty of pets around where I live too, and food animals too nearby -- there are charts where humans, food animals, and our companion animals have replaced more than 90% of the animal mass that was on this planet.

BTW, I'm not opposed to pets, I just think that we should consider their environmental and humane impact that go along with our choices whether it be our pets or our transportation or our energy use or what kind of food we eat.

If I had kids, I'd probably break down and get a dog. I can't imagine what my childhood would have been like without a dog. It would certainly be an agonizing choice. But as far as my own needs and desires, I've decided to restrain myself.

And DU is a site that has a forum entirely devoted to Pets and another for Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights - while LOL Cats is generally the most popular thread of the week

There are also forums for automobile enthusiasts and travel too. I'm not opposed to either of these. But as a DU member and as a frequent E&E Group participant, I make choices to put personal limits on both of these choices as much as I can, and to acknowledge the environmental impact of all of my choices. What is popular is often not what is best for our environment or our fellow inhabitants of all kinds on this planet.

Many of us on DU and the E&E Group have made choices to limit the number of children we have for environmental reasons. That doesn't make us anti-children or anti-people. Quite the opposite.

[mopinko]

5. gotta take issue w the avocados.

there's a series on netflix called 'rotten', about food production.
avocados have become so popular that they are causing deforestation in south america, particularly chili. people are losing access to water because of diversions for trees.
meanwhile, cali can barely grown them anymore w the drought there.

it's just too hard to make sweeping statements like this.
beef can be grown sustainably, and it's healthier beef.
and chickens are a net benefit, so they should be at the top of this. same goes for mushrooms.
and wild caught fish? fishing is devastating the oceans.

[4Q2u2]

7. Drug Cartels

Have been using them to grow influence and garner more money.

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/02/07/avocados-mexican-drug-cartels

[mopinko]

8. yeah, they talked about that, too.

kidnappings and ransoms.
it was new money pouring in. too big, too fast.

[bearsfootball516]

6. Sort of surprised Almonds don't make an appearance on this.

Super healthy for you, but they take a TON of water to grow.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. That's an excellent point.

I cringe when I see ads promoting "almond milk" for just that reason. They can't contain much moisture so how many does it take to make gallons of the stuff??

[progree]

10. Each almond takes 1 gallon of water to grow...

Google says there are 92 almonds in a cup of almonds

Google also has a recipe for almond milk: a cup of almonds to 2 cups of water is about the equivalent of 2% milk. At most this recipe will make 3 cups of milk.

So, 92 almonds makes 3 cups of milk

A gallon is 16 cups

So a gallon of almond milk takes (92 * 16/3) almonds = 491 almonds.

Those almonds took up 491 gallons of water to grow.

491 gallons is 65.64 cubic feet, which is the size of a cube 4.03 feet on each side.