HealthyLife Articles

Tag: sustainability

  • Make Your Food Sustainable

    HEALTHY EATING

    Variety of food items on green table.

    A sustainable food system is one that provides health and food security both now and in the future.

    Food may be grown, processed, distributed, and prepared in ways that protect, or do not protect, the future ability to produce food. As a consumer, you can make choices that increase the demand for sustainable food.

    Sustainable food systems

    The term food system refers to the elements and activities that relate to the food you eat. This includes agriculture, production, processing, distribution, preparation, and consumption of food.

    A sustainable food system encompasses three pillars:

    *Environmental:A sustainable food system protects natural resources through efficient use of land, water, forest, and fisheries.

    *Economic:A sustainable food system protects and improves livelihoods and requires responsible and efficient governance.

    *Social:A sustainable food system supports the resilience of the community and enhances social well-being.

    Why it matters

    If any aspect of a food system degrades the ability to continue to produce nutritious food, that practice is considered unsustainable.

    For example, some farming techniques may deplete the health of the soil. Over time the soil may be less able to support healthy crops, making the practice unsustainable.

    In addition, a sustainable food system ensures no one goes hungry, now or in future generations.

    What you can do

    Much of the work to make food systems sustainable requires top-down regulation and innovation. However, there are things you can do to support sustainability efforts:

    *  Grow some of your own food.

    *  Purchase from local growers.

    *  Cook at home.

    *  Compost food scraps.

    *  Reduce food waste.

    *  Volunteer with non-profit organizations that are working to fight hunger.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Be Healthy At Each Cycle Of Life. Recycle Along The Way.

    Home Safety

    Women with smart watch and fist up in the air.

    *  Being healthy at each cycle of life includes healthy eating, exercising, getting quality sleep, and avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke. It also includes getting health tests and vaccines that you need.

    *  Re-use paper bags.

    *  Buy recycled products and items that come in recycled packaging.

    *  Donate usable items to others instead of adding them to the trash.

    *  Rely less on disposable products used for eating, cleaning, and grooming. Use rechargeable batteries.

    *  Recycle paper, newspapers, junk mail, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic. Follow the recycling rules of your city. If you do not have home recycling, take items to a recycling collection center. To find one near you, call 800.CLEAN.UP (253.2687) or visitearth911.com. Involve the whole family in recycling. Recycle at your place of work. Encourage coworkers to do the same.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Look Beyond Your Weight Goal

    Healthylife® Weigh

    Part 7

    Apples, measuring tape, dumbbells and banana assembled into a smiling face.

    A healthy lifestyle is not just about the number on the scale. Reflect on what got you motivated to lose weight and got you over hurdles. Strengthen your values by connecting more to the world around you.

    Share your story.Share your struggles, your ideas, and your motivation. Share through your words and actions. You may have inspired someone already. Post to social media or comment on another post. Start a blog about your journey as you continue to learn and manage new challenges.

    Say thank youto those who have helped you along the way and who continue to help you. This may be your healthcare professionals, health coach, coworkers, friends, family, or the stranger who makes your coffee every day. Let people know how much they mean to you. It could be the boost that person needs today.

    Address hunger in your community.Millions of people worldwide struggle with food insecurity. Someone who is food insecure doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. Many are children. It may be you. Food banks, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other community organizations appreciate volunteers or donations. Volunteer to teach a cooking class or lead a grocery store tour. Share your strengths.

    Care for the environment.The global food system depends on a healthy planet. It is also one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gases and global warming. Choose local, sustainably produced food when possible. In general, the negative environmental impact increases with how far the food traveled, how long it was stored, and how many chemicals were sprayed on it. Buy enough, but not too much, to reduce waste. Use reusable containers for eating and transporting meals and snacks.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine