In a time where more and more teens are seeking sustainable and organic diets for a healthier lifestyle, university organizations like Emory Environmental Alliance are in their prime. EEA is doing its part to teach us all about healthy habits, not just for our bodies, but also for the environment. With its first-ever Trail Mix event set for this Wonderful Wednesday (11/13), the student-run organization will show students how they can incorporate vegetarian protein forms into their diets. In true Wonderful Wednesday form, this means FREE FOOD—and you can leave EEA’s table knowing that your delicious snack takeaway is healthy for both you and for Mother Nature.
Trail mix’s role as an alternative to meat can indirectly serve tribute to the environment. Raising animals for food produces record numbers of greenhouse gas emissions. EEA’s co-president, Shira Weintraub (’14), explains that reducing meat consumption can alleviate many environmental stresses. Meat production requires higher energy and water inputs, and more agricultural landscape. Less meat consumption reduces the demand for meat, effectively discouraging environmentally harmful farming practices.
“By educating students about why they should shift their diets to include more foods that are in lower trophic levels [meaning, ideally, the bottom level of the food chain, aka plants], we have the power to combat climate change and better protect our natural resources,” Weintraub tells Her Campus Emory. This event has the potential to teach students how to treat their bodies better while simultaneously serving to make the environment better simply by prioritizing health.
Research shows that it’s essential to get all nine amino acids in order to avoid serious health complications. Meat is the typical go-to source to get these essential amino acids, but what you may not know is that grains, nuts and seeds, soy, eggs, dairy, and beans and legumes also can sustain your need for these amino acids.
Another reason to switch to seeds and soy: cattle ranching requires vast amounts of land. Often, forests are clear-cut (meaning ALL of the trees are completely removed) and converted into agricultural land in order to create more space for cattle to meet the growing demand for meat. When these trees are cut down, the carbon dioxide they previously stored is released into the atmosphere–contributing to that scary thing known as global climate change. Additionally, these areas tend to experience a loss of biodiversity, as species that used to live in the forest can no longer be supported without their natural habitat. Less forest means fewer koalas and monkeys–a horrible cuteness deficit that we would not want to inflict on the world. Convinced to chow down more on trail mix yet?
Did you know that producing one pound of animal protein requires 100 times more water than producing one pound of grain protein? Meat means more emissions and higher energy and water expenditures than a vegetarian diet! For all of you heavy meat eaters, try committing to eating a few vegetarian meals per week.
By minimizing your meat intake and complementing your meals with alternative products like trail mix, you can also reduce the risk of certain cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
EEA approved trail mix ingredients: mixed nuts, pumpkin, hemp and sunflower seeds, whole grain cereal, roasted chickpeas, granola and sesame sticks—all include protein! Other meat alternatives include almonds, yogurt, tempeh, legumes and cheese. For more full meals, you can consider trying veggie burgers, hummus and pita bread, tofu, brown rice, quinoa, couscous, lentils and beans.
EEA favorite trail mix fruits to complement your proteins:
Dried apples, cherries, cranberries, goji berries, blueberries, strawberries, apricots, raisins, banana chips, figs, pineapple chunks, mango and dates. Click here for more trail mix recipes and here for other HCE approved healthy snack ideas.
You can also try EEA’s high protein recipe that contains more than one third of your daily protein needs: almonds, pistachios, cashews, peanuts and walnuts OR macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans and for a more indulgent option, pine nuts.
Weintraub’s co-president, Anna Perlmutter, sees big things for the future in terms of sustainability. Emory students can look forward to Emory Environmental Alliance co-hosted events with Emory Greek life and Emory Recycles. On Tuesday November 12, EEA will be screening Trashed. On Friday, November 15, the organization will be hosting a trip to ReLoom, a Decatur non-profit dedicated to recycling clothing.
Keep your eyes out for EEA’s upcoming video, educating students about ways to recycle! Looking forward to seeing you all at the Trail Mix event!
Check out the following sites for creative ways to be healthy for both you and the great outdoors:
http://garden-of-vegan.tumblr.com/
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/healthy-alternative-meat-protein-1058.html
http://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-for-runners/meat-free-alternatives-packed-with-protein