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The Ketogenic Diet and the environment

by Jaewon Chang | 10-02-2020 22:50


As my final ambassador post for this term, I wish to create a post regarding a topic that sparked my curiosity recently. The Ketogenic Diet is one of the popular diets in our society today. In essence, a ketogenic diet involves a reduction in carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. The minimal amount of carbohydrates converts your body into a condition called ketosis, where the body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy. These diets have shown to have numerous health benefits associated with them. In this article, I will be considering three steps that should be taken in order to make the Ketogenic diet sustainable.

Firstly, it is important to select the "right" dairy. The most sustainable dairy products are chosen from environmentally friendly farms that conform to basic sustainability principles. This includes antibiotic-free milk and cheese. An example of the unsustainable farms includes the usage of rbST chemicals which are often given to cows in the United States.

Secondly, it is important to limit the consumption of red meat. The consumption of raised beef is inevitably going to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Opting for alternatives of meat and substitutes can significantly reduce one's carbon footprint. Due to the flexibility of the ketogenic diet, it doesn't need to revolve around the consumption of red meat. Having even a single plant-based meal each day can promote the sustainability of your daily practices.

Finally, one can select local food. The less distance a food has to travel to arrive at your plate, the better it is for the environment. In a simple sense, food that requires to travel 10 hours on land will utilise fossil fuels which are harmful for the environment. Consider purchasing foods from local farmer markets whenever possible, to promote a sustainable lifestyle.

Although this article revolved around the ketogenic diet, any other diet will have methods of minimizing its environmental impact. Ultimately it comes down to the individual practicing the diet.