Eat to beat global heat

Warm and humid days are nothing new to Singaporeans but the heat has intensified recently, with May recording our highest temperature in 40 years. The scorching weather is unlikely to subside soon as global heat waves are expected to continue, making 2023 the hottest year yet.

How meat contributes to heat
Livestock farming has a severe carbon footprint, with meat and dairy products accounting for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.¹
In 2019, Singaporeans consumed 3 to 5 times more meat and eggs than what is environmentally sustainable. Simply substituting meat with fish results in lower production-related emissions and significantly reduce our footprint.²

Go big and go vegan?
The lesser meat consumed, the larger the emission savings. This does not mean cutting out all meat and going full-on vegan.
A vegan diet is completely plant-based and can be extreme for some. Consider either of these simple and sustainable plant-based plans:

• Flexitarianism: ¾ of meat and dairy is replaced by plant-based alternatives
• Vegetarianism: Only one serving of meat or seafood per month

Remember to include plant-based proteins like beans, soy milk, nuts, seeds and tofu for added textures and flavours. Not only will these toppings bulk up your meal, they will turn them into beautiful crunchy, crispy or creamy ones.

Food for thought
A global shift to flexitarianism can save 5 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year decrease global mortality by 10% and get us all into better shape!
If flexitarian or vegetarianism seems too challenging, you can consider using “My Healthy Plate”. The Health Promotion Board introduced the concept emphasising that in every meal we should:

• Fill half the plate with fruit and vegetables
• Fill a quarter of the plate with whole-grains
• Fill a quarter of the plate with protein 

It all starts with small yet meaningful steps. Let's collectively work towards building superior meals for our bodies and dieting for the betterment of our climate.

A balanced diet is crucial to maintaining good health. Take it a step further and safeguard your journey with these products.

Source:

¹https://ideas.ted.com/which-diet-is-better-for-climate-change-vegan-vegetarian-climatarian-flexitarian/

²https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-consider-meat-tax-to-make-diets-here-more-sustainable