Cover Using reusable produce bags is a good practice (Photo: Unsplash/Benjamin Brunner)
Using reusable produce bags is a good practice (Photo: Unsplash/Benjamin Brunner)
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Our starter guide to help you lead a greener foodie lifestyle
Incorporating green practices in your eating and cooking is one of the easiest ways to be more sustainable in your life. While seemingly a daunting task, doing our part to protect the planet can start with simple steps.
Read more: The top 5 vegan substitutes to kickstart your plant-based diet
As foodies, the kitchen is one of the best places to start with our goal of reducing our carbon footprint. From using reusable silicon bags to incorporating plant-based ingredients into your recipes, here are five easy tips you can follow to live and eat sustainably.
Reusable bags and wraps
Above Beeswax wraps are incredibly versatile and easy to use (Photo: Unsplash/Jack Cole)
Above Stasher bags are convenient eco-friendly additions to any kitchen (Photo: Instagram/@stasherbag)
Beeswax wraps are incredibly versatile and easy to use (Photo: Unsplash/Jack Cole)
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Eschew plastic wraps and ziplock bags for reusable beeswax wraps, silicon bags, and silicon lids. These items are game changers in your kitchen. Beeswax wrappers have the ability to mould over any container or wrap any sandwich you pack for lunch. They also come in different sizes, colours, and patterns to add a little fun.
Reusable silicon lids and bags are both washable and just as airtight and convenient as your usual ziplock bags and plastic wraps. As with the beeswax wrappers, there are different sizes available to cater to your needs.
Plant-based ingredients
Above Oatly is one of the most popular oat milk brands (Photo: Unsplash/Leon Seibert)
Oatly is one of the most popular oat milk brands (Photo: Unsplash/Leon Seibert)
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Adopting a plant-based diet is not easy but start small by replacing certain ingredients in your kitchen with more vegan- or vegetarian-friendly alternatives such as oat milk, nutritional yeast, and jackfruit. They are not only kinder to the planet but also to your health.
Do a little extra and use energy-efficient ways to cook by being more mindful with your energy consumption. Make more one-pot recipes, try an air fryer, or use a toaster oven for smaller dishes.
See also: 10 plant-based milks to know
Environmentally friendly cleaning agents
Above Vegan-friendly dish blocks will clean your plates just as well as regular dish soap (Photo: Unsplash/Logan Weaver)
Vegan-friendly dish blocks will clean your plates just as well as regular dish soap (Photo: Unsplash/Logan Weaver)
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Detergents are pollutants. Many of our soaps contain ingredients that can cause contamination in our water systems as some are non-biodegradable. Opting for non-toxic, biodegradable, or natural soaps and detergents can go a long way in keeping our environment clean.
Buy in bulk
Above Storing your ingredients in clear glass jars is a smart way to keep track of your ingredients (Photo: Unsplash/Luisa Brimble)
Storing your ingredients in clear glass jars is a smart way to keep track of your ingredients (Photo: Unsplash/Luisa Brimble)
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Buying in bulk can help reduce our trips to the grocery store and in turn, lessen our fuel consumption, reduce costs and single-use plastics. Zero-waste stores are the best resources to turn to when buying in bulk. Bring your own containers and shop away.
For extra green points, reuse old glass jars to store the legumes, rice, beans, herbs, and spices in your kitchen. They help you to easily keep track of how much ingredients are left and when you should restock.
Don't miss: Elliz Azhar on her plant-based journey as The Kampung Vegan
Buy local ingredients
Above A little goes a long way with Toh's Daily's chilli garlic crisp that is packed with flavour and heat (Photo: Courtesy of Toh's Daily)
Above Mu Artisan Soy Sauce is available in four variations: first draw, organic bean, non-gluten, and gula Melaka (Photo: Courtesy of Mu Artisan Soy Sauce)
A little goes a long way with Toh's Daily's chilli garlic crisp that is packed with flavour and heat (Photo: Courtesy of Toh's Daily)
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Trying new cuisines in your kitchen is without a doubt exciting and one of the best parts of cooking. However, using copious amounts of imported products significantly increases your carbon footprint, as these ingredients travel from different corners of the globe via air or sea to make their way into our pots and pans.
Use more local ingredients. Brands such as Mu Artisan Soy Sauce, Toh's Daily chilli garlic crisp, and Cotta with its house-made ricotta makes equally tasty dishes.
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Amanda is a KL-born and raised third culture kid, who lives to eat. If not found reading, writing for Tatler Dining, or snacking, she is most likely playing with her dog, Katsu, sourcing new Birkenstocks, or looking for a new restaurant to venture to.
Follow her on Instagram at @feedingamanda.
