Show the planet some love this Earth Day and Mother Nature won’t be the only one who benefits. Lightening your carbon footprint helps the celestial bodies and yours, too. Here are ways to do the planet – and yourself – a world of good.
- Drink up – but from a glass. Many people confuse hunger with dehydration so drinking enough water can positively impact your weight. What’s more, being even 1 percent dehydrated can significantly slow your metabolism. So raise a (reusable) glass and drink at least 64-128 oz zero-calorie fluids daily.
- Walk the walk. Don’t just pay lip service to living green. Park the car and walk wherever possible. If the distance is too great, think about riding a bike or walking to the nearest transit stop and taking public transportation. Burning calories is a lot better than burning a hole in the ozone layer.
- Enjoy the fruits of local labor. Shopping farmers’ markets and produce stands enables you to buy in-season fruits and vegetables, when flavor and nutrients are at their peak. Plus, since the produce typically goes from the stalk to the stand, buying local means less fuel is burned and fewer greenhouse gases are emitted than when produce travels across states, or even countries, before reaching grocery store shelves.
- Keep it real. Whenever possible, choose foods in their natural state versus ones that are packaged. For instance, choosing a whole apple or carrot instead of one that’s been sliced and bagged cuts down on carbon emissions, thanks to the fact that the product doesn’t have to be cleaned, packaged, and refrigerated. In addition, once fruits and vegetables are cut they begin to experience nutrient loss.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be an exhaustive examination of the subject matter nor a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your primary care physician or healthcare provider before beginning any diet or exercise program.
Active Medi-Weightloss® patients should consult the experts at their location on whether the foods and recipes mentioned are appropriate for their phase of the program.