Going green involves all aspects of your life, including your diet. What you buy at the grocery store could influence your overall carbon footprint. Check out everything you need to know about environmentally friendly proteins and which low-carbon proteins you could enjoy today.

What Is an Environmentally Friendly Protein?

An environmentally friendly protein is any source of protein that contributes little to no carbon during its lifecycle, growth, production or manufacturing. When humans do something that adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, the oceans absorb the gas and retain more heat. The atmosphere also retains heat as the gas rises, ultimately increasing the planet’s temperature.

Popular High-Carbon Proteins

You might already eat these high-carbon proteins during the week to ensure you get enough protein to feel satisfied after meals or snacks. Check out how they contribute to global warming to better understand if you want to change your typical grocery list.

Beef

The global beef industry contributes significantly to carbon in the atmosphere. Cattle alone emitted 23.2 million metric tons of the gas in 2022 while grazing. The emissions continue in the processing plants that burn fuel and consume electricity to send meat products to grocery stores.

Pork

One kilogramme of pork produces 2.25 to 4.52 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide during its lifetime and the manufacturing process. Whether you’re used to pork loins, filets or back bacon, the protein source isn’t as environmentally friendly as you might intend for your lifestyle.

Farmed Prawns

Prawn farms are part of the aquaculture industry that keeps seafood on global tables. Specifically, the industry uses 2.3 million hectares of cleared land for prawn ponds. Deforestation removes trees that would otherwise eliminate carbon dioxide from the atmosphere where people build the ponds, allowing more carbon gas to warm the planet.

Alternative Low-Carbon Proteins

Consider eating these low-carbon proteins if you’re ready to change your diet to better support the planet. They’ll meet your overall nutritional needs and keep you satisfied without working against your sustainable interests.

Peas

Peas are one of the most environmentally friendly sources of protein. Research shows they’re nearly carbon neutral due to global agriculture’s seeding, growing and export methods. Although you can add them to your diet with canned, fresh or frozen whole peas, you could also get this form of protein through pea-based protein powders.

If you’re nervous about starting something new and feeling overwhelmed, try rehearsing the new habit to reduce the pressure. Give yourself a few weeks to a month before deciding if it’s something you’d like to adopt permanently, like getting your protein from peas instead of meat.

Lentils

Lentils might be the most environmentally friendly of all the legumes available for your dietary needs. They create an average of 1.15 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide per kilogramme of lentils. You can reduce that amount by opting for lentils from brands that use green packaging or buying carbon offsets for transportation. 

Nuts

Nuts also provide protein in many forms. If you want to avoid dairy to reduce your insulin resistance or meet another health goal, almond milk is widely available. Whether you add nuts to a trail mix snack or drink them as your milk source, they’ll come with a history of 0.05 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide for every 100-gram serving.

Beans

Try adding more beans to your diet by combining them with seasonal veggies to make chilli or creating bean dips for your favourite crisps. They pack 6.9 grams of protein into every 100-gram serving while only creating 0.05 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide during the growth and manufacturing processes.

Potatoes

You might not need extra protein in your meal if it already includes potatoes. The eco-friendly root vegetable emits 0.28 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide for every kilogram of potatoes. Enjoy the small amount of protein in homemade crisps, classic roasties or traditional baked potatoes.

Start Enjoying a Greener Diet Today

Switching to environmentally friendly protein sources will feel much easier once you try some new recipes featuring low-carbon proteins. Consider your current primary protein sources to strategize the easiest and most effective ways to make every meal greener while still satisfying your taste buds.

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Beth, the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind, is well-respected in the mental health, nutrition and fitness spaces. In her spare time, Beth enjoys cooking and going for runs with her dog.