3 Sustainable And Healthy Food Substitutes
Out with the old, and in with the new! That should be the mantra for some current food trends that are clearly here to stay. As we work toward living a greener, more sustainable lifestyle, we’ve started to make some healthy changes to our dietary and eating habits. Read on to find out about some great ways to swap out classic staples for healthy ingredients that are just as nutritious (if not more so) and definitely more sustainable and good for the environment.
Peas For Soybeans
Soybeans have long been praised for their great nutritious value due to their high protein content. However, growing concern about the increased rate of hormonal processing and GMOs in regards to soybeans has led to widespread mistrust of the once super popular bean. Fortunately, the good old fashioned green pea has come to fill in for our increasing need and demand for protein. As farmers get more accustomed to growing the pea, its flavorand nutritional value will only improve with time. Many nutritionists are expecting the pea to show up as “pea protein” in energy bars and cereals in the near future.
Fat Instead Of Non-Fat
This one may sound awfully surprising to you. Isn’t fat bad for your health? Despite what may have been ingrained into your belief system since an early age, it turns out that not all fat is bad for you. Natural fats that are derived from animal sources can be not only quite good for you, but absolutely necessary and vital to maintaining your good health. These good fats can be found in real butter, nuts,and full-fat yogurt products. Do your best to avoid the trans fats found in highly processed and packaged foods.
Millet In Place Of Quinoa
Quinoa is a fantastically healthy and naturally gluten-free food source that’s only relatively recently been getting the proper attention it deserves from nutritionists and crop growers. Unfortunately, this new found attention has made demand for the crop so high that prices for the product are going up, while soil fertility rates drops down drastically. The crop is becoming so valuable that many local farmers can no longer afford it, and must rely on cheaper yet less healthy alternatives such as white rice instead. This is where millet comes in to save the day. Millet is naturally gluten free, while also boasting high levels of protein and fiber.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Mats Hagwall