Tired of throwaway food packaging? Why not start cooking again? With just a few changes in your kitchen, you can enjoy the healthy benefits of food that tastes better and is better for you than any processed meal.
Packaging is important. But food quality shouldn’t be compromised just to save space. There are solutions. For example, many companies now pack whole foods (like lean beef and turkey) in smaller cartons. These smaller packages make it easier for consumers to buy in bulk. And when it comes time to cook, meals can be ready in just minutes.
Start With These Great Tips. When you’re getting ready to start cooking again, these tips can help. Packaged meals don’t have to taste bland or like cardboard. With just a few adjustments, you can find delicious meals that will impress your guests and make a big impact on your family’s health.
Don’t Buy Flour From Landfills. Unfortunately, much of the food we eat every day contains unhealthy flour that doesn’t go to landfills. Instead, it goes to food packing companies that toss tons of food away each year.
Choose Better Meats. When it comes to meals, choose whole grains instead of white flour. Choose brown rice instead of white. Choose whole-wheat instead of all-purpose flour. By choosing healthier grains and healthy ingredients, you can start eating healthier.
Skip the Hormones. In the past, food companies used hormones, such as listeria and bovine growth hormone, on chickens and turkeys to make them grow faster and give them a longer life. It was accepted as long as the farmers didn’t reveal that the hormones had been used. The FDA has now banned the use of these hormones. So, you can feel safe with your purchases.
Skip the Junk. Most people know that the best food to pack is fresh, but did you know that most commercial food packaging companies use outdated and broken techniques when packing food? These old methods, which are outdated, don’t ensure proper food safety and can put both consumers and employees at risk. For example, companies used thermal depolymerization (TDA), which is harmful to both consumers and workers.
Find a Non-GMO company. When it comes to products and food, you have a right to know what’s in your food. This is why it’s important to find a non-GMO food company. As you’ll see below, non-GMO stands for “Genetically Modified Organisms,” and is a major issue when it comes to organic foods.
Use BPA-free plastics. There are many different types of plastic that food companies use, but one of the worst is BPA. BPA is not only bad for the environment, but also for the health of the consumer. If you’re tired of seeing plastic in your carton, start the switch to BPA-free food packaging.
Start recycling. If you’re tired of throwing food items away or thinking about it, start a food item recycling program. Contact local and national food recycling organizations to get information on what items can be recycled, and how to start.
Buy local. Food companies are constantly buying food from other countries and packaging them in their own country, without properly compensating them for their services. If you buy food locally, you know who is making the items and where they are from, so you can support the farmer and help keep the local economy alive.
Stop buying big-name brand food at retail stores. While these items certainly have value, most don’t compare to the value of organic, real, fresh food items. Most people don’t have the extra money to afford big-name brands, and even when they do, most of them are from a foreign company that has very little control over the supply chain. Stop buying everything in supermarkets that are overpriced and highly processed. Instead, start buying small, regional food items that are just as good as name brand items, but have a much lower price.
Go green. If you need to start eating healthier, consider becoming more environmentally conscious. Many families are doing this by replacing junk food and buying more fresh food items, cutting out meat, and using more water and energy to cook their foods. Start your own kitchen pantry and experiment with new recipes. You may find it is easier than you think to become a healthier eater.
