What is conscious eating? Conscious eaters, notes Sophie Egan, answer
yes to each of these questions before making food choices:
Is it good for me?
Is it good for others?
Is it good for the planet?
Author of How to Be a Conscious Eater: Making Food Choices That Are
Good for You, Others, and the Planet, Ms. Egan explains how to align our
food choices with our values. Director of Health and Sustainability Leadership as well as Editorial Director for the Strategic Initiatives Group at The Culinary Institute of America, she has written for such publications as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, The Wall Street Journal, EatingWell, and Bon Appétit.
During the interview with Ms. Egan that follows, we will learn that food is one of the most powerful tools to help fight climate change. What we eat and the reduction of food-waste production are two critical ways we can help preserve our planet. She addresses “food conversion ratios,” which tell us how much feed it takes to make food for humans and the impact our food choices have on land use. She explains how methane production from ruminant animals (such as cow and lamb, which have four compartments to the stomach instead of one), the type of livestock production, and
deforestation can all affect food conversion ratios. Further, she debunks misconceptions of conscious eating. Is it always more expensive? Is it practical? She also shares tips on sustainable foods and meals we can incorporate into our daily lives. CLICK HERE for an eye-opening interview on food choices and their impact on climate change.
Resources:
Edible Education course: CLICK HERE
Plant-based recipes CLICK HERE
The Carbon Footprint of Foods CLICK HERE