Video:5 Ways to Eat Greener

Transcript:5 Ways to Eat Greener

Hi, I'm Nadia Chapman for About.com. Eating green is fun, easy, and delicious. There are many benefits to eating green, such as having a healthier lifestyle, saving some money, and protecting the world we live in. Here's a few ways you can eat greener and make a difference.

Try Being a Vegetarian to Eat Greener

The first way to eat greener would be to go vegetarian.You can start cutting the meat out once in a while. A fun way to approach this can be to do a meatless monday, or any other day of the week, where you eat vegetarian for 24 hrs. A surprising UN study claims that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the vehicles of the world combined. Also, think about all the space and energy being used to feed the livestock. For great vegetarian recipes, please visit our About.com Food site.

Buy Local Food to Eat Greener

My second tip would be to eat local as much as possible. Support your local farmers, by doing this, you help to preserve the open spaces of your area. Fields and orchards are better for nature than concrete. Also, on average, our food travels about 1500 miles to get to us. Eating locally reduces our dependency on oil, and local produce is fresher as it doesn't travel days to get to us. Hit the farmers market, local fish market, or look for local food at the grocery.

Eat Greener By Choosing Organic Foods

This is one of the most important ways to eat green: go organic. Going organic is better for you and the world you live in. Pesticides and other chemicals are harmful to our ecology, watercourses, and to our own health. Organic farms have healthier soil, and organic farmers work with nature to grow their food. Organic tastes better, and is also more nutritious.

Be Aware of Food Packaging to Eat Greener

Eating green is also being aware of the packaging that is being used for our food. Think about what package your food comes in, but also how you will dispose of it once you are done. Try to avoid always putting your fruits and vegetables in a plastic bag at the grocery, or use the paper bags if they are available. Buy in bulk as much as you can -- you will not only save money, but you will reduce waste. Encourage companies that pack their food in recycled materials, and don't forget to recycle yourself.

Grow Your Own Food to Eat Greener

Finally, try growing your own food if you can. This will eliminate food transportation, and a few trips to the grocery store as well. The food you grow makes more green space around your property, and saves you money. Of course, go pesticide free, and try canning when you have big harvests. Canning the food you grow is a great way to enjoy all year long what mother nature offers you.

And, before you leave your house don't forget your grocery bags. Thanks for watching, and for more information, please visit us on the web at About.com.