Mindful Meal Choices: Savoring Sustainable Cuisine on Your Adventures

Oct 17

Sustainable practices during your travels can extend to all the activities you do. Mindful eating is one of the most important aspects you can pay attention to while on the road. Consider the impact of your dining choices both on the environment and local communities on your next adventure.

Making conscious food choices during your travels can better connect you with local culture, reduce your ecological footprint and have a positive effect on the environment. Make sure to do your research into local sustainable food producers, conscious restaurants and as much as you can, buy and eat local.

1. Local, Seasonal, and Ethical Dining

Choosing locally sourced ingredients can reduce carbon production generated by imported goods and it has a positive impact on the local economy. I know that it might not always be possible to forego your comfort food while on the road, and I am not saying that it is always necessary. Still, by becoming conscious of your choices in general, you can increasingly make better choices for yourself and the environment.

Ethical sourcing of food is also an important consideration when shopping or eating out. Locals would usually be able to give you information regarding the sourcing of the food in local markets and the restaurants with the best practices. Ask around and keep your ear to the ground for useful information. Doing this will lead you to engage with local cultures and traditions and help you understand them on a deeper level. You can truly engage with the locals as well as the richness of nature and experience the soul of the place through its most authentic cuisine.

2. Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Practices and Supporting Local Economies

*Image credit:* *Kenny Eliason* *via Unsplash*

Many restaurants these days prioritize sustainable practices. They make a conscious effort to reduce waste, become more energy efficient and even use eco-friendly building materials. Look for organic, fair-trade or carbon-neutral certifications of restaurants. This way you can help support these places and contribute to moving towards a more sustainable Earth.

Beyond the positive impact on the environment, you will be directly supporting the local economy. Helping the locals thrive wherever you go is a great step in conscious traveling and leads to a more sustainable earth. The money you spend there will directly go back into the local economy and help people take care of those beautiful destinations for the future.

3. Reducing Food Waste and Single-Use Plastics

Another conscious step you can take as an individual is reducing both your food and your unrecyclable waste. You can reduce your food waste, by ordering mindfully, sharing food in restaurants, and taking your leftovers. If you prefer to cook for yourself while on the road, it’s best to head to the store with specific meals in mind that you want to prepare. This way you can avoid buying too much or unnecessary items that would otherwise go to waste.

Another essential practice is to do away with single use plastics. There are so many cool companies these days making reusable utensils for nomads and travelers, such as this or this. You will never have to think about where to get cutlery and you won't be polluting the earth either. Some restaurants do offer recyclable or even biodegradable cutlery, which is another great alternative. However, this is not readily available everywhere, so if you are going for takeout, it's best to have your own.

4. Seafood, Vegetarian, and Vegan Options

*Image credit:* *Frames For Your Heart* *via Unsplash*

Seafood is a sensitive topic when it comes to sustainability. With many of our seas suffering from overfishing by large corporations, it is essential that we pay attention to where we source our fish from. Look into ethical practices and search for local fish markets or buy directly from the local fishermen if it's an option. That is a unique experience in itself. Avoid eating endangered species and look into it if something doesn’t feel right. And just stay away from shark meat, they are pushed more to the brink of extinction every day.

Another way you can be more mindful of your eating habits is by going for plant-based food options. Depending on where you are in the world, opting for vegetarian and vegan options can be more readily available and in a greater variety. Even if you are not a vegetarian, experimenting with local vegetarian dishes can give you a unique taste of the culture while reducing your carbon footprint.

5. Farm-to-Table and Culinary Immersion

*Image credit:* *Maarten van den Heuvel* *via Unsplash*

Whenever you can, go for places that offer farm-to-table options. You get to experience the local produce firsthand. You can take it one step further and participate in local cooking classes. There are endless options for doing this anywhere you go. Besides being a fun way to meet locals and other travelers, you can learn new techniques and work with ingredients you haven’t worked with before. Visit the local markets and ask the vendors about the use and preparation of local ingredients so that you can enrich your repertoire.

Being more mindful of your food choices is not only an excellent way to promote sustainable travel. It is also an excellent way to get involved in the local culture, traditions and economy while abroad. By making conscious food choices, you will become an active participant in the local life and can make meaningful changes by your presence there. In what ways do you like to be sustainable in your eating choices while on the road or even at home? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Szidónia Lőrincz

I'm Szidonia, a globetrotting freelance photographer hailing from Transylvania, on a passionate mission to inspire sustainable travel and help travel and adventure businesses by sharing my knowledge and experience in the industry and offering high-impact photography services.