Eat more sustainable food

The trend of veganism or vegetarianism is spreading in the western world, at least among the educated part of society.  Until now the main reason for not accepting plant-based food has been with statements like:

 “I´m training a lot so I need the protein” or/and “I like meat too much to make it work”.  These statements are based on no information at all and can be called “alternative fact”. We tend to work with the information that suits us the best.

However, you don’t need to be a vegan to act more sustainable. It would be a lot better if every human on this planet were vegetarians but since many people are unable to accept this, I present to you the “Protein ladder of sustainability” (energy and climate impact). Beef and lamb is the worst since it takes a lot of energy and water to raise them and also because of the metangas they release while they are grazing.

- Wild meat, animals hunted in the wild (reindeer, moose, wild boar, etc).
- Plant based raw food (beans, chickpeas, etc)
- Eggs
- Birds, fish and seafood (Chicken, turkey, fish, etc)
- Meat substitute and quorn. 
- Pork meat
- Lamb meat
- Beef  

It’s important to understand that this only reflect environmental sustainability. For example, the fish fetched in the sea often affect other issues like damaged coral reefs and contributes to overfishing. Chicken farms is often big with a lot of “unhappy” chicken. But yes, according to the list above it is from a climate impact better to eat chicken and fish than meat substitute. Products from animals contributes with 20 % of the total greenhouse gas emissions. 

Challenge yourself to take better choices and try to avoid lamb and beef!