Healthy People, Healthy Planet is a celebration of the connection between humanity and the environment in which we live, with a focus on the food that keeps us alive.

Nine Sustainable Ways to Celebrate the Holidays for Your Budget and the Planet Starting with what you put on your plate and going beyond, you’ll discover practical ways to have an impact both locally and globally.
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Do you want to start the season with a smaller footprint? Take a look at these nine ways to celebrate in a way that is both eco-friendly and affordable.

1. Make your feast vegetarian.

Even though ham or turkey are usually the star of the holiday feast, it’s not a bad idea to break with tradition and substitute plant-based alternatives for some of your meaty holiday dishes.In point of fact, there are many compelling reasons to eat vegetables.Not only are plant-based diets healthier, but they also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality as a whole. Additionally, they may be cheaper than carnivorous diets.

According to 2021Trusted Source research, the most cost-effective vegetarian and vegan diets were those that included whole grains and legumes (beans).Additionally, switching from animal-based foods to plant-based ones frequently results in significant environmental savings.According to a 2019 study by Trusted Source, switching from an omnivorous diet to a vegan or ovolactovegetarian diet (eating dairy and eggs) reduced personal emissions of greenhouse gases by 55% and 35%, respectively.

2. Invest in decorations that will last.

Spending more money on holiday decor may seem counterintuitive from a financial perspective, but consider this.
Items of higher quality last longer, resulting in cost savings over time. Additionally, this delays their route to the landfill.In the mean time, a greater cost point could make you stop and find out if you truly need an occasion improvement in your home, prompting more careful buys.