I have commitment issues — with my diet.
Name the diet, and I’ve tried it. I’m currently a pescatarian with fish as my main protein source. But I’ve been a carnivore, vegetarian and vegan, too.
Oh, and I dabble in “menu of the future” items such as algae and bugs.
In the last month, I’ve had algae smoothies, algae protein bars and algae chips. It’s not because I’m a particularly adventurous eater or that I love the taste. I actually loathe the mossy flavor of algae.
I eat it because I’m a worry wart when it comes to our environment. We’ve gotten ourselves into some trouble. Our dining habits are a big part of the problem.
The average American male consumes 100 grams of protein daily — almost double the necessary amount. This overconsumption isn’t sustainable. The United Nations projects food production will need to increase as much as 70% by 2050 to feed an extra 2.5 billion people.
To survive, we need to reinvent the way we farm and eat. Experts say algae could be a possible solution. Unlike most crops, it doesn’t require fresh water to flourish. That’s a big deal. About 70% of the planet’s available fresh water goes toward crops and raising livestock.
Meat uses up a lot of our finite resources, like water and land, not just for the animals but to grow their food, too. But the green slimy stuff that lives in oceans, ponds and aquariums can grow fast, is packed with nutrition and needs next to nothing to grow. It can even grow in a desert.