Disclaimer: Bucks County Foodshed Alliance does not endorse a Ketogenic diet. This article provides information on how to do keto sustainably. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making dietary changes.
With an estimated 160 million Americans qualifying as either overweight or obese, it is no wonder that lifestyles such as those revolving around a keto diet is skyrocketing in popularity. While a new lifestyle can undoubtedly transform your body, it is important to never do it at the expense of the environment. If you want to fuel your body with the best food available while also being kind to the environment it is important to seek out sustainable food sources such as those produced at the various farms in Bucks County. There are, in fact, a number of steps you can take to ensure that your keto diet is as sustainable as possible.
Choose organic produce
If you want to get the most out of your keto diet, opt for organic produce as far as possible. While these items may be slightly more expensive than mass-produced items you will find solace knowing you are doing what is best for your health, Organic meat, poultry, and produce basically means that the various items are free of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides while also not containing any bio-engineered genes (GMOs), hormones, and antibiotics. When you go to the supermarket look for a certified organic label on what you buy or, alternatively, make your purchases from reputable, organic vendors such as those that sell their goods at the local farmers’ markets.
Be fastidious with your dairy
A lot of commercial dairy products including milk, cheese, and butter are derived from cows that are exposed to high volumes of antibiotics and hormones. Grass-fed dairy, on the other hand, is an impressive source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium, and omega 3 fatty acids that can give your weight loss effort a healthy boost. Make sure any dairy you consume were sourced from eco-friendly farms that are committed to sustainable farming practices. When you buy milk, cheese, butter, milk kefir, and yogurt from Rabbits Run Farm at either the Doylestown Farmers Market or the Wrightstown Farmers Market you can rest assured that you are obtaining quality products from sustainable sources. Whether you are following a strict keto diet or have a more relaxed approach, also known as lazy keto, you can benefit from sticking to good-quality dairy.
Support local
The importance of supporting local producers cannot be reiterated enough. At present, it is believed that the average American plate of food contains elements from as many as 5 different countries. Even products produced in the USA have to often travel up to 1,500 miles before reaching your table – a practice that results in the emission of dangerous carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. By buying your fruit, vegetables, poultry, meat, dairy, nuts, seeds, and even tea and coffee from local producers you will not only boost the local economy but reduce your own carbon footprint as well. If you are in Pennsylvania you can pick up a variety of locally-produced keto-friendly products at either the Doylestown or Wrightstown farmers market.
A keto diet and sustainable lifestyle can easily go hand in hand. Not only will such an approach to your weight loss help you shed any excess weight but you will also do so with impacting the environment in any negative way.
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