Make healthy and sustainable choices
Choosing plant-based ingredients means more than just being “vegan” or “vegetarian.” Choosing to support certified organic, non-GMO, or truly grass-fed products goes beyond simply “eating clean.” What you choose to buy and consume goes further than what you get out of it—what do all these choices mean for our planet? Opting for plant-based proteins or whole-food supplements, looking for third-party certified products or B-Corp certified brands, choosing to reuse or recycle packaging, and eating seasonal foods are sustainable habits that prioritize your health and the health of our planet.
A daily mantra: “Plants over processed foods, bulk over plastic”
Processed foods not only contain more added salt, sugars, fats, and preservatives than their natural counterparts, but they also require more energy, more operational systems, and more excess packaging to be created.1 In a recent Canadian study, it was shown that 87% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the environment, and 47% of this waste comes from packaging.2 From individually cello-wrapped fruits or pre-packaged items in the produce aisle to the endless supply of plastic bags at checkout, plastic is everywhere. "What difference can a single plastic bag make?" asked 7 billion people. To prioritize sustainability, try to choose fresh fruits and vegetables before opting for a snack bar with hidden sugars wrapped in plastic. Additionally, hand-pick your fruits and vegetables and bring your own containers for small bulk items, such as nuts or seeds, and avoid pre-packaged options.
“A B C, it’s as simple as seasonality”…
Being able to buy berries in winter or squash in summer is a nice idea. However, producing these fruits and vegetables outside their natural growing season requires several unsustainable elements: more pesticides, more fertilizers, more artificial heating or lighting, and increased fuel emissions from international transport. The benefit of eating seasonal foods is the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and unnecessary pollution, proving more sustainable for agriculture, as soils remain nourished and air quality remains clean. Buying seasonally is not only cleaner and more sustainable for the earth, but it’s also more sustainable for your wallet! Local and seasonal fruits and vegetables are not only cheaper, but fresher and of better quality. Compared to imported or out-of-season produce, they are more likely to be organic and free from growth and ripening chemicals.3
Look out for B-Corp!
To become B-Corp certified, a brand must ensure the transparency of its products and manufacturing practices, as well as their subsequent environmental and societal impact. Therefore, supporting a B-Corp certified brand gives you full assurance that the company follows strict standards for environmental sustainability and social well-being.4 Choose B-Corp certified brands to keep your body and our ecosystem healthy.
All-in-one: all nutrients in a single package
Ready to go? Don’t have time to meal prep? Hungry and tired in the middle of the day? Store-bought snacks and takeout meals often don’t sustain you as you need them to, and their plastic or aluminum packaging (and ingredients) are not sustainable for the environment.1 You can reach your capacity to fuel your energy and nutrient reserves, and reduce waste from excessive packaging, by turning to a nutritional meal replacement. Simply add a serving of this replacement to a cup or bottle to get all the nutrients you need—without extra cost or waste.
You don’t have to say “no” to whey
We are not all the same, and therefore, we cannot all handle the fibrous content of legumes and grains in the same way, which makes it harder to rely solely on these plant-based protein sources. The good news is that you can still practice sustainability and ensure you get the cleanest ingredients by looking for a non-GMO certified whey protein powder that truly comes from grass-fed animals. Protein sources from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals reflect a higher quality nutritional profile, with more omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, while producing fewer agricultural chemicals and antibiotic residues.5
References:
1Kroyer G. Th. (1995). Impact of food processing on the environment—an overview. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 28(6), 547-552. doi: 10.1016/0023-6438(95)90000-4
2Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2020). Economic Study of the Canadian Plastic Industry, Markets and Waste, i-12. Retrieved from: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2019/eccc/En4-366-1-2019-eng.pdf.
3Macdiarmid, J. (2014). Seasonality and dietary requirements: Will eating seasonal food contribute to health and environmental sustainability? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 73(3), 368-375. doi:10.1017/S0029665113003753
4Certified B Corporation. (2020). Certification. Retrieved from: https://bcorporation.net/certification.
5Meyer, N., & Reguant-Closa, A. (2017). “Eat as If You Could Save the Planet and Win!” Sustainability Integration into Nutrition for Exercise and Sport. Nutrients, 9(4), 412. doi:10.3390/nu9040412