We are all for getting in your daily vegetables, but eating green in this context is more than just getting in a portion of produce on your plate. 

When it comes to doing your part for the planet, your eating habits can make a difference too. 

From the type of food you consume to the eating practices you have developed over the years, there are many ways to make better informed and intentional choices when it comes to eating out and creating a positive impact on planet earth.

1. Introduce plant-based foods to your diet

Adding more plant-based foods to your diet can help reduce your ecological footprint while ensuring that your body gets the nutrients it needs to function properly. 

Studies show that food production is not only the greatest driver of wildlife loss but also a large culprit for climate change, with the livestock industry alone contributing to almost 15% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions. 

Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains is a great way to sustainably consume the essentials that your body needs for a healthy and balanced diet. 

Plus, research also shows that eating fewer animal products like meat, eggs and dairy has many health benefits as well!

2. Opt for Organic

Besides having more beneficial nutrients than their conventionally-grown counterparts, organic food typically contains fewer pesticides too. 

Pesticides can be detrimental to the environment as they can contaminate soil, water and other vegetation, as well as be toxic for other creatures like birds, fish and beneficial insects that come into contact with them.

There are cafes like Milligram (#01-11) and many others that offer organic ingredients and coffee blends in their menu, which are a great alternative that can help prevent contributing to this toxicity issue. 

And if you are unsure, or can’t seem to find any organic options on the menu, don’t be afraid to ask the servers as well!

3. Eat mindfully

Only order what you will eat. 

Food waste is a big problem as it makes up one of the biggest streams of waste in Singapore.  

On average, food waste accounts for around 11% of our total waste and is a major source of producing greenhouse gases which contributes to global warming and climate change. 

Being aware of how much you truly need can help prevent you from ordering too much food, and at the same time help you save money too.

If you do find yourself coming face to face with leftovers, you can also ask to take the leftovers home with you – ideally with a recyclable takeaway box or bring your own container with you. 

4. BYO when opting for a takeaway

When you can’t miss out on that morning coffee-to-go, or prefer taking your lunch back to the comfort of home before digging in, remember to bring your own reusable containers to cut back on trash! 

A great place to start could be at Pinto Thai (#B2-38) – where Pinto is the word used in Thailand for traditional lunch boxes used to carry tiffin meals. It sounds like an absolute delight to enjoy these Thai dishes the way it was intended to – in your very own reusable container!

5. Keep reusable utensils with you

Being one of the biggest causes of landfill waste, disposable cutlery is often made of plastic and limited to being single-use. 

While some places like The Sandwich Shop and The Daily Cut make use of biodegradable cutlery, not all eateries have made this transition yet. It will be good to always have a set of your own reusable utensils on hand – just in case! 

6. Opt for beverages on tap

With more than 467 million plastic bottles and cans ending up in landfills every year, one way to help reduce this number is to order your water – or even your beer, on tap!

Might we suggest a refreshing pint of Erdinger beer at Anglo Indian Cafe & Bar (#01-10)? 

7. Say no to straws

Being another “one-time-use” item, you can either bring your own reusable straw or not use one at all when possible. 

Even when made from recyclable materials, plastic straws are hard to recycle and are not biodegradable. 

This then becomes a problem as they end up in landfills and even the ocean, posing a threat to wildlife – and by extension, the environment too. 

You don’t have to give up the pleasure of dining out to play a part. Regardless of whether you’re an eco-warrior or not, every little action can make a big difference. Make your experience more sustainable by practising these tips!