Staying eco-friendly can seem like a challenge these days. It may feel like every option available to you causes some harm to the environment, especially when it comes to buying food. Fortunately, there are some foods that are clearly sustainable and readily available, not to mention beneficial to the buyer. If you're looking for a few options that fit this label, here are five healthy foods that help the environment.

1. Protein Powder

While it may sound odd, consuming protein powder is a great way to get nutrients while staying eco-friendly. Eating enough protein is essential to increasing sustainability, especially if you're someone that regularly turns to meat as a source of the macronutrient. By consuming the powder instead, you can decrease the amount of environmentally harmful animal products you regularly consume. Protein powder also generally has a smaller carbon footprint than other sources of protein. If you're unsure of how to consume it, be sure to look at the product label. You may find the most enjoyment by putting the powder in a smoothie of your choice.

2. Organic Tofu

Tofu is a staple for health nuts everywhere. It's packed with protein and uses far less water than animal-based sources. Also, organic tofu has the added benefit of eliminating the use of harmful synthetic materials during production. If you're unsure of how to eat the relatively slimy and flavorless food, don't worry. There's many ways to turn it into a delicious meal. You may want to start off by using tofu as a meat substitute in various dishes. For instance, adding tofu to a stir fry can be delicious. You can also use it to add thickness to your smoothies.

3. Green Peas

Green peas have a larger benefit than serving as a tasty side dish. This food often has no need for additives like harmful nitrogen fertilizers. Therefore, it helps farmers avoid leaking dangerous chemicals into the surrounding environment. Best of all for you, the vegetable contains a substantial amount of nutrients. Peas are also easy to throw into any meal, whether as a side dish or as the main course. If you're feeling like a classic meal, you can always try a lovely pea soup. However, if you're feeling more adventurous, you can try making pea pesto or hummus.

4. Tomatoes

It's heartening that a classic vegetable (as labeled by nutritionists) like the tomato is sustainable for the environment. However, you do need to be careful about where you buy your tomatoes. Make sure that the plants are sourced locally. Tomatoes are generally sustainable because the carbon dioxide needed to create the plant is very low, especially compared to other crops. Fortunately, there are also countless ways to prepare tomatoes. You can always turn to tomato soup if you want something easy to make. Caprese salad is also a great way to go if you're craving cheese. Just be sure that you have more tomatoes than animal products in your meal.

5. Lentils

Lentils may not be the most popular food source, but these legumes are highly sustainable for the environment. This is mainly because lentils require a small amount of water to grow. Lentils are also packed with protein. Therefore, eating these legumes can help you to eat less in general. If you're wondering how to prepare this type of food, consider starting by making a classic (beans and rice), and replacing the beans with lentils. You can also make some delicious blended soups or even curries.

Choosing the right food to eat can be extraordinarily difficult, especially if you aren't a cook that can make anything taste good. However, the benefits of it are too substantial to give up on. Be sure to look for locally sourced and organically grown foods. That way, you can be more certain that eco-friendly methods were being used by the farmers. If you keep eating in this manner, you can make a change for both you and the environment.