Humans are a species that relies so heavily on the environmental impact on — plants and animals, for their food and nutrition, yet they constantly engage in practices that show they do not take preserving this source of food as important.

We are now in an age where, as human beings, we have the most influence on the survival of the environment and even our own survival as a species. It has never been more important than it is now to assess how we eat, what we eat, and how we can continue to ensure that good food remains available for future generations.

Eat This, Not That | Clean eating is a concept that involves focusing your diet on foods that are as natural as possible

In the quest to make food production sustainable, you may consider two things to focus on which are clean eating and sustainable farming.

Clean eating as a practice, isn’t about whether food is dirty or clean, it’s a concept that involves focusing your diet on foods that are as natural as possible, and that means fresh whole foods, which is truly a win-win scenario as it guarantees both healthy living and a healthy environment because fresh food requires no processing at all.

Most of the industrial activities involved in processing food and farming, release harmful emissions into the environment and have been reported to contribute to the recent climate change, alongside pollution that is affecting the farmlands and water sources, the places where our food comes from.

Clean eating relies on minimally processed food so it guarantees a reduction in the need for harmful industrial activities like the addition of chemicals for preservation. A clean diet will consist of plant-based food like fruits and a lot of vegetables, it will also include whole grains, legumes like beans, and nuts that have healthy fats.

Sportsofit | Clean eating relies on minimally processed food

It doesn’t completely cut out chicken or seafood, little amounts are included in this diet, but it could definitely forgo red and processed meat along with sugars, refined grains, and starchy vegetables. This is a very healthy way of eating.

The next step would be sustainable farming and food production. The current production methods are not sustainable and would need to be refined to reduce the chances of permanent harmful changes in the environment that would make it difficult to produce more food.

That means no more using chemical pesticides on the environment, or using chemical fertilizers instead of natural manure. The future is going to be in a lot of trouble if these practices don't change, so sustainable farming coupled with clean eating work hand in hand.

This way you can support local farms around you that you know how they produce their food because the way food is produced has an impact on its quality. You’ll want to go for grass-fed beef over grain-fed beef because it’s better in nutritional value.

Eat This, Not That | Being mindful about the foods we are consuming can improve eating habits and increase life expectancy

Keeping production clean like this ensures that the environment will thrive and be able to cater to the food needs of the present and future as well. It also means our eating habits will be healthier and that also means increased life expectancy.