A great read from @Guardian prompted me to wite this blog.
Scientists have concluded that avoiding meat and dairy products is the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact on the planet. Cuts in meat consumption in rich nations are essential to ending the climate crisis.
The story is bigger than this I accept, particularly is a very high dairy regions as we have in Cheshire West, but we could all reduce our reliance on the bigger carbon emitters. Do read the Guardian article and see what you think.
But that’s not the whole story. You don’t need to go vegan here, this is a about eating less meat and of course reducing food waste is also essential which we will talk about soon.
The Guardian article using reseach from Boston Consulting is suggesting more investment in alternative meat proteins. Boston also intreveiwed 3,700 people and asked would they switch to alternative protein products if they had a possitive impact on the climate and 30% said yes.
I have been eating alternatives to meat proteins for many years, when I started the range was very limited but today we do see more companies in this market and so the options are increased. I tested out one on my husband last night.
In a rush before going away for the weekend I bought a vew items from my local Co-op.
Co-op Irresistible Hereford Beef Burgers – £5.30. These burgers were a pack of 2 with 95% beef, but along with that you have high fat and high saturates. Per burger typical value 425Kcal. Packed in plastic.
Co-op GRO Vegan Incredible Burgers – £2.40. Again a pack of 2, high in fibre and protein, Medium fat and saturates. Per burger 206kcal.
I know you will all say, you can get cheaper beef burgers. But these are generally much thinner and with a lower percentage of beef. I hadn’t bought the burgers planning this blog.
The Vegan burgers in this case win on price, calories, fat and saturates. But can they win the hubby over?
What I got after had eaten his healthier meal than if it was the burgers was a ‘mmmmm about the burgers’ but an empty plate all the same.
If you are a meat eater, would you cut out more meat, for plant based eating and alternative proteins for the sake of the planet?
Just making a couple of different decisions a week can have a big impact on the planet and your health. Here are 5 suggestions from Giki if you need some inspiration:
1) Make a plant based meal for a friend
2) Eat Animal Products once a day
Sustainable Cheshire 