Drink a DIY Sports Drink
There are many non-eco-friendly things about sipping on a sports drink, from the man-made ingredients found inside to the plastic you'll inevitably throw away. Plastics make up 13 percent of the municipal sold waste stream, according to EPA.gov. Why add to the heap, when you can use an alternative?
The eco-friendly food choice: Leave your sports drink of choice on the shelf and head home to make your own eco-friendly race beverage. Try this drink, created by Sam Hua of HappyFoodHealth.com: Start with an 8-ounce glass of orange juice, 1 tablespoon of salt and a pinch of honey. Shake it up in your re-usable bottle and fuel before, during or after your workout.
More: Make a Homemade Energy Gel
Eat Local Carbs
Both you and the environment benefit from eating local carbohydrates. Most commercial breads are filled with preservatives and unnecessary ingredients to increase their shelf life. However, these ingredients add extra sodium, sugar and fat to a simple food item that has clear benefits for you.
Many local breads are made from kernels that are milled in-house daily, which helps them maintain all of their good-for-you nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
The eco-friendly food choice: Enjoy a peanut butter sandwich or piece of toast with local bread. Check your local health food store, which will likely carry at least one variety, if not more to choose from. Though it may be more expensive than commercial brands, you're getting more nutritional bang for your buck. If you won't eat the whole loaf in a few days, freeze it for a longer shelf life.
More: The Whole Truth About Grains
Roast Regional Chicken
Factory farming is at an all-time high: two out of every three farm animals in the world are raised on a factory farm, according to DoSomething.org. These meats are loaded with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the process of raising the animals has lead to significant increases in pollution. One way you can help reduce this practice is to buy regional meat products that are raised and slaughtered in a humane and sustainable manner.
The eco-friendly food choice: Purchase a whole local chicken and use the non-meat parts to create a stock for soup. You can save it for later, or add in the meat to make chicken noodle soup. Use in-season veggies and noodles that are made locally too.
More: Recipe: Fiery Lemon-Glazed Chicken
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