Fuel with Purpose

Learn about environmental benefits of snacking

Think back on the past few months, did you find yourself perhaps taking a bike ride to the store instead of driving? Or, hiking for exercise instead of going to a gym? Well, you wouldn’t be the only one getting outside more to take advantage of all nature has to offer! The good news is this shift from passive to active transportation is not only good for our bodies, but good for the environment as well.

“Move more” is not an uncommon thing to hear seeing Americans tend to be more on the sedentary side. Typically, and rightfully so, when you increase your daily movement or expenditure, you tend to be more hungry afterwards. This is in part due to using stored energy for fuel and it is natural, and necessary, to replenish depletion afterwards in a proper fashion.

How, you ask? I am sure at some point, you’ve either recycled something or chose to turn off the lights to save electricity. But have you considered how environmentally friendly your food choices and modes of transportation are? A study published in Nature Research in June 2020 decided to look into just that, active transport and dietary patterns. While modes of transportation is one way to give back to the environment, choosing less processed foods is another. Be sure what you choose to refuel with not only gives your body the energy it needs, but that is a good choice for the environment as well.

Greenhouse gases are reduced by active transportation, for example walking instead of driving to the store. However, your food choices could compensate for the additional calories burned and may outweigh those active transportation benefits pretty quickly depending on what you choose to eat. While you are doing your part to protect the environment from a transportation perspective, pay attention to the other areas where the greenhouse emissions may come into play, such as choosing processed foods, or overconsuming food post-movement. Together, we can better our environment and our body’s by moving more and choosing healthy foods!

As with packing a lunch or snack for a workday, planning food for a day full of physical activity is just as important. Try to avoid the overly processed options if you can by packing our Banana Bran Breakfast Muffins for a healthy mid-morning snack. Then, once back home, recover with the Pineapple-Turmeric Smoothie with banana, your joints will thank you! Because, don’t forget, bananas are the natural, non-processed choice over processed sports drinks anyways!

Published Sept 2020