This is a topic everyone is talking about going into 2020. Importantly, it is about looking at alternatives to save our planet. It is amazing how many people are now turning to Veganism or have done Veganary – if you are one, I would love to know how you got on? How easy did you find it and how did you feel health and energy wise??
This year I was determined to sort out my little niggles and it started with seeing a nutritionist – Rosie Letts. It has been interesting for me as I do know something about nutrition for work and would say I do generally eat very well.
One thing that came from a blood test to see if I had any allergies or intolerances, is that I am actually intolerant to egg yolks and cows milk and semi intolerant to egg whites and weirdly – apricots.
So why I am I telling you all this? Basically, because I have had to go vegan since just before Christmas (eek the worst time to start it!!). I am trying it for 3 or maybe 6 months and we will then gently re-introduce them back into my diet to see how my body and eczema react. Fingers crossed it works!
I will be honest – I actually wouldn’t choose to be vegan. I found it really hard to begin with; mainly because it made me realise that eggs are in so many foods that I maybe take for granted. Swapping my cows milk has been quite easy as there are so many different plant-based milks which are actually ok, though I do miss butter!
My hubby is now on board with/for me – pointing anything out about Veganism or saving the recipes the newspapers have been showing throughout January. Then the bombshell last week – an article in the Guardian – a whole double spread about how the Healthy eating/Veganary craze is affecting the planet. Urgggg – just when I was feeling better about the lovely Almond milk I have found!
If you are interested, have a look at this article about how milks as a whole seem to have a big carbon footprint. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46654042 Dairy is still tops as it needs more land, water & causes the most emissions. However, my lovely Almond milk actually is 2nd after dairy for water usage and in the Guardian report about it, it is also proving problematic for bees.
Almond Milk:
It consumes 130 pints of water to produce ONE glass of almond milk! In the US where most almonds are gown – 70 % of commercial bees are drafted in to pollinate almonds every spring – last yr more than 1/3rd of them died – that is a lot. However, on a good note almonds do not take up lots of land and no one is cutting down forests for them.
Coconut Milk:
Unfortunately, due to the increase in demand in the tropics for coconuts (only place they grow) rainforests are being cut down to grow coconuts. Indonesia, the Philippines & India are 3 countries which are underpaying their pickers and clearing the rainforests to make way for coconut palms. It is advised that when you buy coconut products go for the Fairtrade brands.
Read up on rice milks, soya, & hazlenut milks.
The Clear Winner……
I could go on but do have a look at the article about the different plant based milks. The one that has come out top for causing the least problems is Oat milk – unfortunately my lease favourite! However, from now onward I will be trying to look for the sustainable brands of other milks and will buy more of the oat milks!
