Environment

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Is there a website to measure and compare the greenhouse emissions of certain foods? (piefed.social)

submitted 2 months ago by Binzy_Boi@piefed.social to c/environment@beehaw.org

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Hey all,

While I'm aware that most issues regarding reducing greenhouse gasses land more on companies and governments than they do on individual responsibility, I still want to work on forming my diet to overall be more climate-friendly.

I'm curious if there's a website that compares the carbon footprint of certain foods. Since I'm currently modifying my diet to be more healthy and nutritious, I was also thinking about maybe making some changes where possible that are more friendly to the environment.

What brought up this thought is that I'm currently making sweetened drinks at home using zero-calorie sweeteners, and with the options I have available and how little they differ from one another in my eyes, I was curious which option between Stevia and Sucralose was more environmentally friendly, and then it became a more general question as to where I can compare these things.

Thanks in advance!

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[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (14 children)

~~A big part of it will be transport costs. Anything you get from a local farmers market will be infinitely better than what you get shipped around the world.~~

I am wrong: https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/what-is-the-climate-impact-of-eating-meat-and-dairy/

[–] Binzy_Boi@piefed.social 3 points 2 months ago (13 children)

Yeah, aware of the fact that meat tends to be a big issue with carbon emissions and environmental sustainability. While I'm not *currently* planning on being vegan, I'm definitely cutting out beef and pork and replacing them with chicken and fish for the time being for both diet and environmental reasons.

Overall trying to reduce the amount of meat I eat regardless, and I'm glad that's been an easy change so far.

[–] Gloomy@mander.xyz 2 points 2 months ago (7 children)

What is holding you back from going vegan or at least vegetarian? I'm not trying to judge, I'm just interested. If you care about the environment it would seem a logical choice, that's why I'm asking.

[–] thief_of_names@beehaw.org 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Vegetarian with ADHD (among other things) here! I started the same way many years ago, by cutting out red meat and pork, and then reducing meat consumption until I realized I had been eating like a vegetarian for a week and then committing.

For me it was about what was and wasn't doable. I struggle with motivation a lot, and bothering to cook a proper meal everyday or sit down and do proper research into what constitutes a healthy diet isn't something I can just make myself do.

Honestly if this is about CO2 emissions, which it originally was for me, then cutting meat by 90% or whatever is almost as good as going vegetarian and will be way easier in terms of nutrition.

[–] Gloomy@mander.xyz 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, I see your point. If it's just about emissions full plant based of course would still be the best outcome, because even diary products have a huge environmental impact. Not as bad as meat, but still considerably higher than any plant based choice. I found it fascinating that an avocado that has been shipped across the ocean to Europe still is a better choice than local diary products, enviormentaly speaking.

In regards to research etc. I get your point. I tranaiended from vegetarian to vegan about 10 years ago and the first half year was a lot of research what I could buy and couldn't and how I should make meals in order to not run into any problems. After that it just became my new normal. It takes zero effort these days, minus the occasional struggle to find a good place of go out.

[–] thief_of_names@beehaw.org 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I live in a very small town so if I want vegetarian here we're talking a margarita pizza or eggs on toast :P

That said I've mostly cut dairy out of my diet, but I don't remember to check the ingredients of everything I eat so who knows how plant based I am these days. Probably some dairy based butter in some of the things I buy.

I have a lot of stomach issues and unfortunately react somewhat to oat milk, but almond milk (which has other climate issues to my knowledge) and coconut based milk is working very well for me.

[–] Gloomy@mander.xyz 2 points 2 months ago

That's great and I am happy for you how well your lifestyle seems to be going. Rural is always a challenge when avoiding meat, I know how much effort it can mean. Good on you for hanging in there.

Almonds have their issues, but that said are still ahead of the curve in regards to envirmental impact in comparison to animal products.

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