Easy ways to Go Green at the Kitchen – low carbon cooking

Climate change has hit us now. Food has proved to be one of the most effective modes of making a difference as people create awareness. Our diet determines how healthy we are and the health of the earth. This is the reason why the issue of low carbon cooking & recipes is relevant. 

By choosing the food to get meals which have a low carbon footprint, we will be able to feed upon ourselves, as well as providing sustainability. This post describes low-carbon recipes, their relevance and how one can include them in life yet gain no loss in flavor, nutrients and satisfaction.

Some of these low carbon cooking & recipes are the foods prepared to reduce the greenhouse gases in all processes between farm and plate aiming to reduce such gases.

These recipes are as mentioned below:

• Plants over meat and dairy products 
• Home to the home grown in season produce 
• Less processed and packed 
• Though-full planning to reduce food waste
• Many types of cooking techniques that are able to save energy & resources

The worldwide food system produces approximately the one-third of the entire greenhouse gases. The livestock farming contributes much by way of methane gas emissions, deforestation and overemphasizing on water consumption. To reduce our impact on our planet, it is very essential to change our food habits by incorporating low-carbon dishes in our daily diets.

Sustainable nutrition implies the consumption of food, which is not only beneficial to humanity, but also to the environment. The thought is to provide everybody with safe foods which are nutritious and also meet their cultures and at the same time preserve the ecosystem, as well as biodiversity.

Benefits of Sustainable Nutrition-

• Emitting the lower carbon in the environment 
• Public Health outcomes are improving a lot 
• Many natural resources like soil, water, bio-diversity etc. are being protected 
• Treatment of animals ethically 
• Less dependent on fossil fuels including chemicals

A. Emphasizing Plant-Based Foods:

Carbon footprints are lower in plant-based products rather than animal products viz. lentils, beans & tofu are producing the fewer emissions than beef, mutton or lamb meat.

B. Choosing the locally available & seasonal produces:

If we purchase food from outside & which travels long distances or which are not produced in the present session, are more vulnerable to emissions. Local & seasonal products are tasty, nutritious & also eco-friendly.

C. Food Waste is to be reduced:

Averagely one-third of evert food produced is wasted by us. Hence, we should plan our meal tactfully & use leftovers food in creative way including composting if possible.

D. Avoiding the processed food:

Using of processed foods means using of extra energy and resources in production, transportation & waste management.

E. Cooking Methods in different way:

If actually we want to save energy, time & resources, we must use slow cookers, pressure cookers and batch cooking which helps such.

Easy to prepare, tasty, energy saving eco-friendly recipes as below:

1. Monday:- Chick-pea with Spinach leaf Curry

 It is low carbon recipe because: These are filled with Plant-based proteins & also uses in seasonal greens.

• Items may be used: Fresh spinach leaf, Canned chick-peas, onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, coconut milk, curry spices etc.
• You may serve with: Brown rice or any types of millet

2. Tuesday:- Roasted Vegetable with Quinoa salads

It is low carbon recipe because: These are seasonal vegetables and a complete plant protein based recipe

• Items may be used: Carrots, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, quinoa, zucchini, olive oil, lemon etc. 
• Parsley which is a kind of fresh herb may be added

3. Wednesday:- Lentil & Mushroom Vegan Pie recipe

It is low carbon recipe because: It overcomes the demand of meat with hearty legumes & mushrooms

• Items may be used: Brown lentils, mushrooms, carrots, celery, peas, mashed potatoes
• Leftover mashed potatoes may be reused from the previously cooked meals

4. Thursday:- Tofu with Broccoli Stir fry & Brown Rice recipe

It is low carbon recipe because: It is having Plant based protein with locally grown broccoli

• Items may be used: Broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, tofu etc. 
• Cauliflower or brown rice may be used in this recipe.

5. Friday:- Pasta Primavera recipe

It is low carbon recipe because: Pasta is a low footprint carbohydrate & the vegetables may be a seasonal produce

• Items may be used: Whole grain pasta, asparagus, peas, cherry tomatoes, garlic & olive oil
• Cheese may be avoided and Sprinkle of nutritional yeast may be used

6. Saturday:- Recipe make with Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos 

It is low carbon recipe because: Sweet potatoes & beans are having low emission staples

• Items may be used: Black beans, corn tortillas, roasted sweet potatoes, red cabbage, lime etc. 

7. Sunday:- Vegetable Soup with Barley

It is low carbon recipe because: It uses root vegetable & grains with minimal processing

• Items may be used: Barley, veg broth, herbs, potatoes, leeks, celery etc. 
• Bread made with whole grain are to be taken.

It is now right time to be cautious and shop the grocery items which are useful in low carbon cooking. Hence, we may follow as follows:

• Planning of meal: Weekly plan to be prepared and buy the products which actually we want. 
• Bulk buy: Grains, legumes & nuts may be bought in bulk with re-usable bags
• Local produces may be preferred for shopping: Locally available farmer to be visited and preferred for buying the products which are easily available and also judicious. 
• Whole foods to be preferred: We have to limit the use of packaged & processed food items. 
• Plastic to be avoided: We must use own bags made with cotton clothes and other containers and avoid using the plastic which are not bi-degradable. 

After sending of food waste to landfills, it generates methane & hence, here are some of the creative method to reduce food waste:

• We may make the broth using veggie scraps
• Overripen bananas can be reused to make dishes like smoothies 
• Leftover food may be kept in refrigerator for next use 
• We may last night’s dinner may be re-purposed into lunch
• Cold storage or any other storage method may be used to the food properly so that its shelf life can be extended. 

In our day-to-day busy schedule, we may involve our family members in cooking which is not complicated at all. 

• Involvement of kids: They may choose their liked food 
• Refrigerating food after cooking in batches: We may cook food in double batches like soups and keep it for further use.
• Must create our theme nights: Monday to be meatless, Tuesday to be used Taco etc. for other days
• Different varieties of foods: Rotation of many types of grains like millets, barley for exciting meals 

These are having:

• Fiber rich 
• Many types of Vitamins & minerals
• Saturated fat are very less
• Managing the heart health 
• Gut health improvement

It also reduces the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, obesity & some types of cancers. 

Low Carbon Cooking focuses the local culture 

It does not give-up the local traditional foods. In India, Lentil dals, vegetable curries, flatbreads are addressing such.

Nutrition & sustainability means we have to use low carbon recipes. Reduction of environmental emission by using Plant-rich, low processed, locally available foods which also impacts our nourishment & community.

In overnight, diet can’t be changed. Hence, we should start a small i.e. one meal a day & one new healthy plant-based recipe a week. Gradually, it may become sustainable eating globally.

Reference from Harvard Health : Fresh ideas to improve health habits – Harvard Health

Thanks and Regards.

Lovely Health Tips — 2025

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The article has been written by the team “Lovely Health Tips-2025”, who dedicates itself to share the evidence & experienced-based health & wellness guides with solutions & helpful awareness campaigns. Learn more