Your 5-step guide to eco-shopping
Bringing a baby into this world can make new parents think about the future of the planet, and how they can lessen their impact for generations to come. Here are five ways some parents shop and eat more consciously to help support the world’s resources and environment.
- Buy from local suppliers
Shopping at a farmers’ market or farm shop can be rewarding as you are buying from the very people who grew your produce or raised your meat. Parents who shop from suppliers they know and trust in the local area are reassured that they are able to trace the journey their food has made from farm to fork. They also like that they are doing their part to support the local economy and cut down on carbon emissions from transporting food from far-away countries. - Choose organic where possible
Some parents prefer to buy baby organic produce because organic farming methods use fewer pesticides and have higher animal welfare standards than conventional farming. Crop rotation is always used by organic farmers to try to naturally sustain nutrients in the soil. Many parents who buy organic food believe these farming methods have a positive impact on the nutritional content and taste of the fruits and vegetables their babies eat. Moms who buy organic baby foods may get peace of mind from the very strict procedures followed by some baby food manufacturers. These guarantee the quality and safety of their products as their foods undergo up to 100 separate checks. Their products are also made without preservatives, flavour enhancers, chemical dyes, and with limited added sugar and salt. - Understand labels
Animal welfare is becoming a bigger concern for some parents. By becoming more familiar with food labels, it is getting easier to make more environmentally friendly choices at the grocery store. It’s often possible to look for labels that highlight animal welfare standards and foods that are certified as organic or sustainable. Labels vary greatly across countries, so try to research your own country’s official codes, labels, and standards so you know what to look out for when shopping. - Shop in season
More parents are starting to identify which fruits and vegetables are grown and harvested at which times of year in their local area, and are shopping to make the most of those in season. As well as cutting down on the carbon emissions it takes to transport out-of-season vegetables grown far away, in-season produce also tends to cost less and be fresher. - Walk to the shops and bring a grocery bag along
Parents who are looking to get more active often choose to walk to the market or shops rather than use a car or jumping on a bus. It counts as healthy physical activity for them and their baby, and is the most environmentally friendly form of transport we have! Another simple eco -swap is to take your own bags with you when you shop—whether that’s reusing plastic bags or using a basket or cloth shopping bags. It’s an easy way to cut down on the amount of plastic you use. How much of an eco-shopper are you? Small changes make a huge impact, so why not try one of these tips the next time you head out to buy food for your family.
Source
Mie A, Andersen HR, Gunnarsson S et al. Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture: a comprehensive review. Environ Health 2017; 16(1):111 doi:10.1186/s12940-017-0315-4
Reganold JP, Wachter JM. Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century. Nat Plants 2016; 2:doi:10.1038/nplants.2015.221
https://www.ifoam.bio/en/our-library/organic-basics (Accessed April 9 2018)
Related articles
What does organic mean for my baby?
Did you know? In a global survey, 30% of respondents looked for organic qualities when shopping.
2 mins to read
How to Switch From Breastfeeding to Bottle-feeding
Whether you want to express breast milk or you’re thinking of supplementing with baby formula, try these 13 tips on how to switch from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding.
7 mins to read
Mix up the menu!
It’s easy to fall into the habit of offering your baby the same foods every day, especially if you know they’ll happily eat them.
3 mins to read
Why babies need breast milk AND water
Did you know? Offering sugary drinks to your baby adds extra calories to their diet and makes tooth decay more likely. It can also mean they drink less&
2 mins to read
Make sure you offer your baby fruits, vegetables, and water each day
Around the world babies are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. How can you make sure your baby has a balanced diet?
1 min to read
Healthy eating starts with you
Did you know? You’re a role model for your baby—what you eat and drink influences their choices.
2 mins to read
The importance of family mealtimes and letting your baby lead the way
Research has shown that shared family meals—no matter the size of your family—provide benefits for your baby beyond the joy of simply eating dinner together.
3 mins to read
The difference between prebiotics and probiotics
If you have doubts about what the function of each one is, keep reading
3 mins to read
Baby Feeding and Nutrition: The Guide
How will you feed your newborn?
7 mins to read
Did you know?
The way young children are fed may be as important as the food offered
1 min to read
Healthy eating habits start now
Did you know? Your baby’s dietary patterns are set before their second birthday.
2 mins to read
How to help your baby learn to like new foods and textures
Did you know? Your baby may need to try some foods and textures several times before she is happy to eat them.
3 mins to read
How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full
How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full? The longer a mom breastfeeds, the more she responds to her baby’s signs of fullness.
2 mins to read
Choosing your baby’s food
Did you know? In many countries, pre-packaged baby food has to meet strict safety standards.
1 min to read
Baby Poop Guide
This baby poop guide will help you understand the differences between different baby stool colours and consistencies as well as the stools of babies on different diets.
7 mins to read
3 tips for your baby’s happy, healthy tummy
By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician
3 mins to read
How to prepare and store baby formula
Formula. It’s full of nutrition—but how you prep and store it can serve up some questions, too.
5 mins to read
Adventures in feeding: new tastes, new textures, new techniques
Now that your baby is eight to 10 months old, has enjoyed their first tastes, and is becoming more experienced at eating, it’s time to move on to lumpy foods and helping them learn to feed themself
6 mins to read
Your food safety checklist
Keep these instructions handy on your mobile or printed. This checklist will help you shop, store, cook and reheat your baby's food safely.
1 min to read
