It takes a lot of water to grow, process and transport the food that you buy. When you eat lower on the food chain, eat more whole foods and waste less food, you also save water.

There are many ways to reduce your water footprint when it comes to the foods that you buy and eat. Below are some simple ways that you can reduce your footprint.

• Eat more vegetables – It takes a lot of water to produce animal products such as meat and dairy, by incorporating more vegetables into your diet. It can aid in reducing your water footprint.
• Try meatless Monday – By having a dedicated night eat week when you go vegetarian can reduce your water footprint. There are many great vegetarian recipes available online.
• Try and choose grass fed and pastured raised products – When you do eat meat, dairy and eggs try to buy pasture raised products. By buying these products less water is used as opposed to corn and soy feed.
• Avoid processed foods – A lot of water goes into processing foods. It is better to opt for more fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and whole grains.
• Drink one less cup of coffee a day – try to opt for tea instead if you need a caffeine fix. Coffee has one of the highest water footprints.

As it takes so much water to produce the foods that we eat when food is wasted we are essentially wasting all the resources that went into the production of that food. There are simple ways that you can cut down the food that you waste, including; planning your meals, eating and cooking what you buy, eating leftovers and composting if you do end up with food scraps.