Here are 6 sustainable eating habits:

1. Select sustainable seafood over other animal protein 

Seafood offers a great source of protein and beneficial nutrients, but overfishing has had harmful impacts on the environment. Here are a few companies that offer healthy, sustainable aquaculture products: Kvaroy Arctic, Scout Canning, Dutch Yellow Tail, and my company, Mini Fish. 

2. Fill your plate with plant foods

A diet filled with plant foods supports sustainability because plant foods require less water, energy, land and fertilizer to be produced. The more variety you consume, the more micronutrients your body will receive as well. It’s a win-win situation!

3. Shop local at least once a week

Not only is shopping local helpful to the economy in your community, but it can also have environmental benefits like reducing energy usage for food production and reducing emissions from cars (if you aren’t driving far to get the food). The easiest way to implement this is checking out your local farmers market or CSA (community supported agriculture program). 

4. Go meatless on Monday

Did you know that the production of red meat has the highest ecological footprint compared to all other food groups? If you are used to consuming meat frequently, start cutting back by having a meatless Monday. Some great plant protein sources to try are tofu, lentils, edamame, chickpeas and black beans. This Black Bean, Corn and Zucchini Taco recipe is great for meatless Monday as well. 

5. Reduce food waste when possible

Over 30% of food produced goes to waste! Think about all the resources used to create this food (land, energy, water etc) that are wasted as well. To help reduce food waste you can freeze and repurpose leftovers. Another idea is using an overly ripe avocado for a face-mask or turning old coffee grounds for fertilizer. Having a plan with your shopping is important too! First, do an inventory of what you already have. Then, brainstorm 2-3 meal ideas for the week and work backwards to make your food list. This will decrease random food items that you won’t end up using. Lastly, compost at home if you can.

6. Choose seasonal foods

Seasonal produce travels shorter distances to stores, therefore reducing fuel and pollution. Eating seasonal is also a great way to get a variety of different foods and nutrients so you’re never bored with what’s on your plate. 

With sustainability, small steps made by many people can result in large changes. Which of these habits would you start adding into your life? Let me know in the comments!

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Losing weight is a great step toward a potentially healthier lifestyle, however, keeping it off is the ultimate goal for many people who opt to make changes to their diet and routine. If sustainable weight loss is something that you want to achieve, then it’s important to ignore fads and instead stick to a few key habits, according to one expert.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” says Cory Ruth, who is an RDN, Women’s Health & PCOS Expert, and the CEO of The Women’s Dietitian. “The problem with a lot of trendy, fad diets right now is that they’re incredibly restrictive. Yes, you may lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks by dropping all carbs, but the moment you even look at a slice of bread, all that weight (and maybe more) is going to come piling back on.”

“Weight loss needs to be sustainable over time,” adds Ruth, “and it needs to come in the form of healthy, long-term habits. Losing weight at a slower pace can help you keep it off for now and for life.”

When it comes to sustainable weight loss, Ruth suggests the following three steps as the best things you can do to achieve long-lasting results. Keep reading for her tips, and for more, check out 8 Things You Must Know Before Trying to Lose Belly Fat.

When it comes to how much you’re eating, Ruth explains, “Staying in a calorie deficit is critical to weight loss, so knowing how many calories you need to be eating consistently to be in that deficit is key. Calorie tracking with something like MyFitnessPal is not necessary, but it’s super helpful to help us figure out how to better navigate correct portion control.”

Related: One Surprising Effect of Cutting Calories, New Study Says

Enjoying a meal out at a restaurant can be a nice way to treat yourself, however, it might not be something that you want to do too often if you want to keep excess weight off.

“[Eat] the majority of your meals and snacks in your own kitchen,” Ruth says. “When we eat out, we inevitably take in more calories, fat, and sugar. Being the one in control of what and how much of an ingredient goes into your food is a foolproof way to eat better for weight management.”

Related: 100 Easiest Recipes Anyone Can Make at Home

What you eat is just as important as how much you’re consuming and where, says Ruth. That’s why you should aim to “fill up half your plate with low-starch vegetables, one-quarter protein, and a small serving of carbs.”

As Ruth explains, “This ‘plate method’ is one way too easily and visually balance your plate for better weight control.”

To find out more about sustainable weight loss, be sure to read Eating Habits for Weight Loss That Experts Say Actually Work. Then, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more of the latest health and food news!

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