By Zoe Blecher-Cohen, ACE Field Correspondent and student at Ridgewood High School, NJ

My daily “diet” usually consists of whatever I can reach as I fly out the door–the quickest meal available. As a student working to keep up with the fast-paced chaos of high school, nutrition, source and even taste aren’t always an important part of what I eat. This year though, I’ve resolved to change all that.

Our diets have a huge effect on the environment. The meat industry contributes immensely to deforestation, global warming, and pollution.

In fact, The United Nations has said that going vegetarian is one of the greenest things individuals can do to lend the environment a hand – 50 percent more effective than switching to a hybrid car in reducing greenhouse emissions. Emphasis on certain crops can drain soils of nutrients, an increase in imported produce can cause transportation emissions to rise, and as we know all too well, inhumane livestock conditions can help spread many diseases worldwide.

My goal for this year (as well as my DOT) is to learn about the food I eat, where it comes from, and what really goes into it. This also connects to my shift towards a more vegetarian diet (although not completely meat-less) something commonly known as ‘flexitarian’.

It is surprisingly easy to find vegetarian and vegan alternatives to everyday meals. Even if you’re not ready to cut meat out altogether, try a transition to locally raised meats, perhaps gradually reducing intake. Cutting out some red-meat from your diet can be good for your health too, as it lowers your cholesterol intake.

By eating less meat and more locally grown foods, I can do my part to help cut down emissions from livestock, their transportation and processing.

If Americans skipped just one meal of chicken per week and substituted a vegetarian meal, the carbon dioxide savings would be equivalent to taking more than half a million cars off U.S. roads!

In addition, along the way I have found it easier to eat better if I am already checking the nutritional facts on the boxes. I experience a strange power-rush when I choose to eat healthy, organic products! In an age where advertising and media controls much of what we buy, it’s nice to strike back and assert control over what is being put in your body.

The best tip I have for ‘green-dieting’ is to try new things.
As cheesy as that sounds, it really makes a difference. Check and see if your town or one in the area runs a farmer’s market; the produce usually tastes fresher and you can put a face to some of those ‘mysterious’ people who make your food. Next time you’re at the store pick up some tofu or the intriguing health-food item that you wouldn’t normally try. Maybe you’ll even find that you like it.

~Zoe Blecher-Cohen, Ridgewood High School