Easy & sustainable food hacks to try today

Are you looking for sustainable food hacks to try? 

By now we already know the importance of recycling, driving fewer miles, and the benefits to our health and the planet of relying less on animal-based foods and products. But it shouldn’t stop there. One of the best and most convenient ways to protect the environment is to look at the food you are consuming, so here we share some easy food and supplement hacks, regardless of which diet you follow.

Reducing food waste 

While some minimal food waste is to be expected - especially for those who live alone - there is always more we can do to minimise food waste. Food waste costs you money and costs the environment. About a third of all the world's food goes to waste and according to a UN study on food waste, producing, transporting and letting that food waste rot contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gases. 

Learn more about food groups and their nutritional value from our nutritionists.

Every time you put food in the bin, it ends up in landfill sites. From there, it releases methane into the air, which can be highly detrimental to our planet. The best method to reduce food waste is to meal plan and buy only what you need. Meal planning will ensure you focus on exactly what you need during a week, and can also ensure you're eating a balanced and varied diet, getting the core vitamins and minerals your body needs.

If you're unsure whether you're getting the recommended level of vitamins in your diet, supplements can fill nutritional gaps. If you don't know what vitamins your diet provides, we recommend taking our free Diet Profile - it is a triage for nutrition, providing a valuable window into your diet and the foods you need for particular vitamins and minerals. 

By planning your meals around your shopping list, less food will go to waste and get thrown in the bin.

Look for plastic-free packaging

Unfortunately supermarkets make it difficult to shop entirely plastic-free. However, some of the food swaps you make can make a big difference to the environment.

Purchasing loose fruit and vegetables is a great sustainable alternative. The quality is exactly the same and the big difference is there is no need for plastic. Buying canned beans and foods packed in cardboard boxes are easier and simpler choices for going plastic-free. 

Look out for stores with refill stations where you can refill containers with basics such as tea and coffee. Waitrose, Ocado, Morrisons and Marks & Spencer are among UK supermarkets who've created a refillable grocery partnership and plan to roll-out unpacked options in store. Early refill trials by M&S, for example, show 40% of refill lines outselling the packaged alternatives. Once refills become part of every store in the UK and beyond, it will be even easier to make sustainable food shops.

Look out for sustainable packaging, starch-based seals and plant-based inks - just like DR.VEGAN^® supplement pouches. Discover our range.

Metal or glass containers for leftovers

Long gone are the days where we had to opt for plastic containers. This is a very simple change anyone can incorporate into their lives. Simply putting leftovers in metal or glass containers reduces the demand for plastic containers. The quality of the food remains the same, your food will be fresh and there is no cost on the planet.

Our refillable Pill Tin is reusable and free with every first subscription purchase and is the stylish and sensible way to make your daily vitamin regime more sustainable!

Cutting out palm oil

The sad truth is most cooking oils are harmful to the environment. Forests around the world are cut down in aid of oil plantations. Then you have the pesticides to treat the crops which pollute our water and contribute to additional damage to our planet. Avoiding or cutting down on oil in your cooking and food can be good for your health and the environment. Discover the best cooking oils recommended by nutritionists.

Palm oil is one of the biggest drivers of deforestation and is one oil everyone should avoid. Used in everyday products including lipsticks and shampoos, sadly there is more demand than ever for palm oil, causing huge deforestation and leading to the loss of natural habitats and air pollution.

Palm oil is also commonly used in supplements and is often used to produce the ingredient magnesium stearate. 'Magnesium stearate' is the poorest form of magnesium with potential side effects, so be sure to check your food and supplement labels and avoid it. Magnesium however is a mineral superhero and essential to gain in your diet or via a supplement - learn why magnesium is so important here.

Simply reducing how many products you buy containing palm oil is a big step to bettering the health of our planet.

All DR.VEGAN^® products contain NO palm oil. Learn how to  #CheckTheLabel for palm oil in supplements. 

Consider plant-based supplements

You don't have to be vegan or follow a plant-based diet to take vegan supplements. You have the power to make an easy sustainable choice for both your health and the planet's benefit.

Livestock farming contributes to land and water degradation, deforestation and biodiversity loss. Studies show the livestock industry generates 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 

Vegan supplements, such as the DR.VEGAN^® range, are free of gelatin and other unnecessary animal ingredients and additives that have zero benefits for your health. Learn more in 'Animal ingredients in supplements - what you need to know'.

So why not choose plant-based supplements? They're cleaner and more effective for your body. What you need to know about secret animal ingredients in supplements.

Your changes make a difference

While you may not believe it, the small food changes you make each week can add up. It makes a huge difference to our environment. Keep reducing food waste, opting for plastic-free options, and getting the word out there!

If you enjoyed reading this article, we recommend:

• What is the best plant-based milk?
• Recommended sustainable brands to try
• Top tips for eating out as a vegan
  

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