Dr Sally Bell Top Food Tips

# Tip One: Know your food source

To create food systems that are healthy for the people and the planet, we have to invest in local food economies. You can then also ask questions about how your food was grown.

Local doesn’t always mean it has been farmed well. But it is a great place to start the conversation. 

If you can’t: Purchase from companies that practice transparent sourcing and are investing in soil health within their supply chains. Get to know brands. Let me know about them too!

#Tip 2: Eat what is seasonal where possible.

This principle gives you more nutrient-dense food, decreases demand for food from other bioregions, reduce food transportation miles, contribute to the local economy, shrinks your carbon footprint.

It also helps you appreciate the taste of food. There is nothing better than the first strawberries in June.

#Tip 3: Eat whole foods.

Regardless of where you have landed on the vegan/paleo/omnivore/gluten-free/dairy-free debate. Eat whole real food. It will have the most significant impact on the health as a nation.

Eat as many whole foods as possible. Diversity is the key to health.

Read the ingredients. Look for products with whole foods and just a few ingredients. Avoid lists that include chemicals or items you cannot pronounce.

 #Tip 4: Choose restaurants that support soil health:

ENGAGE WITH CHEFS and ask them: 

• Do you buy from local farmers?
• Do the farmers invest in healthy soils?
• Do you use organics products?
• Are your meats pasture-raised?
• Do your dairy products come from pasture-raised animals?
• Are your fish certified sustainable seafood?

 #Tip 5: Grow your own

It isn't as hard as you think. Seeds want to grow.

You don't need as much space as you think.

It is more satisfying than you think.

Or so I am told.

I tend to kill most green things. I start with a gusto and then forget about them. I have managed some herbs, spinach and rainbow chard this year, which I eat every day.

I would love to hear off any of those following my blogs if they would like to help me write some stuff to help ordinary people like me get started!!!

Tip #6: Buy what you need and eat less than you think you need.

Globally, over 1.3 billion tons of food is thrown away. 51% of the rubbish going into landfill is compostable. 

The environmental cost of worldwide waste is staggering, 3.3 billion metrics of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each year through the production, harvesting, transportation and packaging of wasted for. Once it reaches the landfill, it decomposes and emits methane gas which significantly impacts global warming. 

Food also loses its nutritional content as it sits there waiting to be eaten making it less nutritious to eat.