1.3 What Does Sustainable Cooking Mean? Why Does it Matter?

“Sustainability” refers to the meeting of current needs without damaging or compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their own needs. When the concept of “sustainability” is applied to cooking, it involves every aspect of food preparation. Sustainable cooking implies an awareness of how the food we eat gets from the farms to our kitchens. It includes prioritizing:

  • Food Sourcing
  • Nutritional considerations
  • Diet Planning
  • Preparation methods
  • Waste reduction

A “sustainable cook” strives to make food choices that will positively impact human health and the environment. When doing so, the health and availability of natural resources for future generations are supported. Simply put, sustainable cooking focuses on choosing nutritious, affordable foods and healthy cooking methods while minimizing food waste.

What Does a Sustainable Diet Look Like?

Eating sustainably begins with choosing whole foods, or foods that are minimally processed and derived from a plant, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These types of foods have a smaller environmental foodprint.

Ways to Eat More Sustainably:
  • Eating a plant-based diet, because current research shows these foods are the healthiest foods for humans and the planet.
  • Choosing whole foods over industrialized processed foods, because this choice supports human and environmental health.
  • Shopping and purchasing locally farmed produce and animal products create a dialogue with farmers to create transparency in production and minimize fuel emissions.
  • Eating a variety of seasonal produce to support the intake of nutrient-dense, better-tasting fruits and vegetables.
  • Choose unpackaged foods; buy bulk and use your own bags and containers to reduce trash for the landfills.
  • Minimize food waste by eating leftovers and starting a composting pile.
  • Buy organic when possible to avoid eating foods that have been produced using chemicals, such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or other substances.
  • Minimize eating food from restaurants and prepare most of your own meals at home. Cooking your own meals allows you to make healthful and sustainable decisions during every step of the cooking process.

 

Image 1.3 Environmental Pyramid & Food Pyramid (Photo courtesy of Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition.)

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Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

FON135 Sustainable Cooking Lab Manual Copyright © by Lisa Thompson, MBA, DTR is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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