Why We Should All Be Mindful Of What We Are Eating (& Where It Comes From)

We live in a world, and a time period, where healthy eating has become an obsession. We swap crusty, farmhouse loaves of soft white bread for higher in fibre and more nutritious rye bread. We bake cakes with mashed banana, apple juice, and honey instead of using butter and sugar. Brownies can be made with avocado instead of butter. Pancakes are made with mashed banana and egg, not flour and milk. We blend cauliflower to create a rice-like substitute. We peel courgette to use instead of pasta. We thinly slice sweet potatoes to use as toast. The truth is, we have developed various ways to make what we are eating healthier for us, as we live in a time where health is seen as being of the utmost importance.

 

Of course, as well as leading a healthy life, it is also crucial that we are mindful of where our food comes from. The fact is that we are under a misconception that our food reserves will last forever, but the truth is that is not the case. Sure, there are certain foods that will last forever, but there are others that will not, and we need to be aware of that. So, with that in mind, below is a guide to why we should be mindful of what we are eating and where it comes from, and what we can do to help ensure that certain foods are not farmed to extinction.

 

For everything that you need to know, read on.

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Big corporations don’t have us in mind

 

A lot of foods that we believe are healthy are not healthy. The fact is that many large corporations add fat, sugar and salt to their foods, to help improve the taste that they offer, to increase their popularity. Additives are also added to foods to help to make them cheaper and easier to produce, which is why so many seemingly healthy foods are not, in fact, healthy. Did you know that many pre-made jars of pasta sauce, from tomato sauces to creamy ones, contain a whooping 12 teaspoons of sugar? Or that seemingly healthy granola can actually contain six teaspoons of sugar per portion – that’s a lot of sugar for a food that’s marketed as being ‘healthy’, isn’t it? The fact is, that to really understand what is in your food, you need to take the time to read every label carefully.

 

Fish are being fished to extinction

 

Fish is one of the world’s most healthy foods, which is why we eat so much of it. The problem is that while fish is extremely good for us, there is such a worldwide call for fish that many species have been over farmed and are now at risk of extinction. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are 1414 species of fish that are at risk of extinction, which equates to five percent of the world’s known fish species. The issue is that many of the fish species that are in danger of extinction due to over farming are still being served to us, which is putting them at higher risk of extinction. The species of fish that we eat that are endangered include haddock – a fish and chip shop favourite, Atlantic cod – another chippy favourite, Atlantic salmon, and Sea Bass, and yet many of these fish are still a big part of fish farming across the world. Despite our love of fish due to its delicious tasty and healthiness, we need to be mindful of how much fish we are eating and whether it has been farmed responsibly.

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Certain foods are over farmed

 

Aside from fish, there are certain other foods that are also being over farmed, one of which is everyone’s favourite piece of any salad – the avocado. Avocados are packed full of healthy fats, as well as various nutrients, which is what makes them so beneficial for us. Because of this, and their ability to pair perfectly with all manner of foods, from poached eggs to chicken and bacon, avocados have become a food phenomenon. The issue is that in certain parts of the world, such as Mexico, the avocado trend is taking its toll on the land and communities, as avocados are being overfarmed in a way never seen before. That’s why, again it is vital that when you choose to eat certain foods, such as avocados, that you select ones that have been sustainably farmed.

 

What animals are fed is important to our health

 

Do you buy cheap, supermarket meat? Have you ever considered why that meat is cheap? The fact is that when meat is cheap, it is because of where it comes from. The fact is that it is possible to buy cheap meat, but it is important to realize that this meat tends to be farmed in an unhealthy way, with animals being fed all sorts of different things, from antibiotics to unhealthy corn and maize. Did you know that cow’s that are fed corn and maize, as a pose to being grass-fed, tend to get sick easier? The best place to buy meat, such as beef, that is of a high-quality is from a local butcher, as that way you know where your meat comes from and how it is taken care of. It might cost a little bit more to buy, but the fact is that it is worth the cost if it is better for you.

 

The fact is that when it comes to what we eat, we should all be mindful of what we are putting into our bodies. The truth is that a lot of the food that we eat is not good for us, and many foods that we think are healthy, actually aren’t. Of course, when it comes to what we eat, it’s not just about making healthy choices, it’s also about being mindful as to where your food comes from. What you want to ensure is that when it comes to where your food comes, you are buying food from places that offer quality food. This is especially important when it comes to meat and fish, as if you aren’t mindful about where these things come from, it can have a long-term impact.

 

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