Live Better, Plastic Free
June 25th, 2025 By Carin Clegg, APD
As a dietitian I do get re-energised by Plastic Free July. Eating a diet without having any form of plastic packaging can be a challenge, but it can definitely be a healthier one, which means our food supply will be more sustainable for future generations.
Remember making change is difficult and setbacks happen so just keep up those good intentions and you will get there. If you are like many people and have already swapped single use shopping bags, coffee cups and drink bottles for reusable ones, and are not forgetting them so often, here is the next step.
Reduce your discretionary food intake: Things like lollies, chocolates, cakes, biscuits, pastries, chips and soft drinks. Stand up and say no to plastic packaged foods your body does not need. If these foods are a regular part of your eating habits this will make a big improvement in reducing your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental health and many other health conditions.
Another easy change to make is to avoid plastic packaged fruit and vegetables. It is quite rare for me now, 10 years on, to buy produce in a net, plastic wrapped ore even use a plastic bag when shopping. I simply refuse, go without and buy something else instead. The most environmentally friendly bags are cloth bags made from pre-loved natural material such as cotton sheets or clothes as this prevents these items going to land fill, avoids the manufacture of more new stuff and the carbon footprint associated and it can be composted at the end of its life.
Before I built up my supply of cloth bags, I reused the standard plastic ones so at least they got a few more uses before they broke. I find that the reusable plastic net bags sold now are not made to last, getting holes in the after only 1 year. Another reason I like to use cloth bags is because it makes my shopping trip bright and colourful, almost fun. Some of the fabrics I use bring back fond memories and it helps me put more care in about what I buy and be mindful during the shopping experience.
It also makes me think more about the foods I buy, slowing down the process giving me time to contemplate where the food has come from, is it organic? Australian made, locally sourced?
I love hand selecting my fruit and vegetables, even getting the ones people are less likely to buy, cracked carrots, scrapped zucchinis and funny shaped produce so there is even less wastage. I have always grown up eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and I know that is because we always had so many around all the time.
Using unique bags can also help get kids involved in the shopping process especially if they have their own set. It keeps their busy fingers out of trouble and makes them feel they part of the family meal planning. With their curiosity, it is great for kids to explore and learn about fruit and vegetables- learning when they are ripe, how to care for them- do you put it in the fruit bowl or fridge or is it time for the freezer? Feeling the texture, weight, firmness and aroma at different ripening stages is important learn to eat a wide range of fruit and vegetables as they grow.
Fruit and vegetables are packed full of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and fibre and are powerfully protective against chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. They help keep our bowel motions soft and regular, unlock and give us energy, support our immune system, brain function and good mental health.
Out of the essential food groups, fruit and vegetables have the most variety in colours, textures, sizes, shapes and tastes and all these qualities change if they are cooked in different ways and change throughout the chewing and eating process. With so much to learn to enjoy, continuing to teach our kids to eat fruit and vegetables as they grow will set them up with healthy habits for life.
I recommend having at least 2 sets of re-usable shopping bags in the household or car so that they are not forgotten. Sticky notes can also be helpful placed in the ideal location to help you remember and get into the habit of taking your bags.
If you are wanting to continue to reduce your single use plastic you can also use cloth bread bags and buy your bread from the bakery. I transfer the bread to a container and freeze after 2 days to reduce waste.
Then if you are super keen to keep up your plastic free goal, taking jars and containers to the whole food shop, butcher, deli, fish shop and take-aways is the next step. It is great that some major supermarkets are allowing you to bring your own containers but it is also important to support small locally run places like: Narara Eco-Village’s Pantry open Monday 6.30-7.30pm, Wednesday 3-5pm, Saturday 10-12pm, Organic Plus and Harris Farm are at Erina, Pure Bulk Foods, Ettalong, and, some Vita Go stores also can cater for you if you bring your jars if you are a regular customer.
Over the next few months to years, you will notice a huge change in the amount of landfill waste in your household bin, find your family’s eating to be fresher and more wholesome, feel healthier, and I bet you will feel very proud indeed.
If you are keen to live more plastic free, check out my:
- Partying For Our Planet E-book: Free!
- Reusable Bright Party Kit Hire: a rainbow party kit available for hire for anyone on the Central Coast for $40 plus a $50 refundable deposit. Includes a free copy of our Partying For the Planet E-Book. Return customers get a discount!
- Eco-friendly party favour fillers: 1 pack includes: a Find-a-word, Chatter boxes, Zinnies (colour in mini books) Packet of seeds, Jokes. -$5 per pack plus postage and handling.
To purchase simply email us and we will provide your invoice for direct deposit and organise delivery.
