‘Sustainability’ is a word we’re hearing everywhere, from lifestyle influencers to environmental activists who are constantly using and promoting it. A sustainable lifestyle is essentially using products and practices that are designed while keeping in mind health environmental impact, animal welfare, and effects on other communities.

However, becoming sustainable isn’t the easiest change for many. Often eco-friendly products end up being expensive and, therefore, unaffordable. Creating a product that has a minimum impact on the environment requires costly materials and procedures, and that’s why the final product isn’t economically viable for everyone.

If you’re determined to lead a greener lifestyle, we’re happy to inform you that it is possible to do on a budget. Cooking and eating sustainably is a great place to begin your eco-friendly journey.

Here are some easy (and cheap) ways you can get started:

Buy Local & Seasonal

Locally produced food is better for the environment since it hasn’t travelled a long distance. Moreover, make an effort to buy seasonal food, which is healthier and cheaper. You should also consider visiting your local farmers market to buy sustainably farmed vegetables, fruits, seafood, and so on.

Save the Scraps

What do you do with vegetable peels, meat bones, and other food scraps? You’re literally throwing away nutrition by throwing away these scarps. Vegetable peels and trimming are packed with nutrition. You can use these to make flavourful stock, which is a lot better than anything you can buy pre-packaged.

Utilize Your Freezer

If you didn’t get around to use some of the products and they’re going to go bad soon, you can freeze them. You can freeze nearly every vegetable to extend their shelf life. Alternatively, you can also use them up to prepare freezer-friendly meals.

Invest in High-Quality Cookware

If you’re shopping around for cookware, save up and purchase high-quality pots and pans that will last you a lifetime. Eco-friendly cookware is toxic-free and allows effortless cooking and cleaning.

You should also consider buying a crockpot or pressure cooker to cook up meals without using too much energy.

Reconsider Your Energy Needs

One way to make your energy use more sustainable in your kitchen, as well as the rest of the house, is by opting for renewable energy options. Compare electricity prices in your area to find a suitable green alternative. If you’re looking for solar-friendly options, check out Simply Energy reviews.

Eat Vegan and Vegetarian

Producing meat requires a lot more resources than farming vegetarian produce. You can noticeably lower your carbon emission simply by eating meat-free meals a couple of times a week.

Grow Herbs

If you have a backyard or even a windowsill, you can easily grow herbs like parsley, dill, basil, chives, and so on. Herbs are a lovely way to make any meal taste better.

Eat Legumes and Pulses

Start incorporating legumes and pulses into your diet. In addition to being highly nutritious, legumes are extremely affordable. Moreover, they also have a long shelf life.

Buy Canned

Do you cook only a few times a week? Instead of purchasing fresh produce and watching it go to waste, pick canned options, which will last a lot longer. Canned foods have virtually the same nutritional value as fresh produce.

Start Composting

If you don’t have the time to save and use up food scraps, you can start composting them.

Reduce Food Waste

Wasting food is bad for the environment as well as your wallet. Rather than cooking a big batch of food, you can’t finish, try meal prepping before cooking. Additionally, you should also find creative ways to repurpose leftovers instead of throwing them away. For instance, you can use last night’s leftover rice in your breakfast burrito or fried rice.

The Bottom Line

Cooking and eating sustainably offers the unparalleled trifecta of healthy living, greater savings, and of course, environmental consciousness. Hopefully, the aforementioned tips help you lead a greener lifestyle.

What are your tips for cooking and eating sustainably on a budget?

Share your thoughts and comments with us.

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