The Emissions of a Meal
When we think about the impact of our food, it usually has something to do with the calorie content or nutritional quality.
The truth is, every ingredient on your plate also has an effect on the environment.
How does food affect the environment? It’s all about what it takes to produce it. Transportation burns fuel, which releases greenhouse gases. Growing crops uses water, land, and energy. And animal-based ingredients are especially intensive because raising animals requires even more food, water, and space. All of these steps add up, making certain foods much heavier on the planet than others.
Take a simple taco salad, for example. The emissions from just a few key ingredients - like beef, cheese, and sour cream - can add up fast.
The good news? Swapping out a few ingredients can dramatically reduce your climate impact without sacrificing flavor.
Let’s start by looking at the main contributors:
Ground Beef:
Beef production is one of the leading sources of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Producing one pound of beef emits about 27 kg CO₂e—the largest contributor in this meal.
Cheddar Cheese:
Cheese might seem harmless, but dairy production has a high carbon cost.
A cup of shredded cheddar adds approximately 2.5 kg CO₂e.
Sour Cream:
Though used in smaller quantities, sour cream still contributes around 1 kg CO₂e due to its dairy content.
When combined, these three ingredients alone add up to 15.25 kg CO₂e—roughly the same as driving a gasoline-powered car 38 miles! That’s just for two servings of a single meal.
A Greener Taco Salad
Now, let’s see what happens when we swap out those high-emission ingredients for more planet-friendly alternatives. We’ve created two alternate versions: one using plant-based ground meat and another using black beans as the protein.
Taco Salad with Plant-Based Beef
Plant-based ground (½ pound): 1.75 kg CO₂e
Plant-based cheddar cheese (½ cup): 0.25 kg CO₂e
Avocado (1 small): 0.1 kg CO₂e
Total emissions: 2.1 kg CO₂e
That’s an 86% reduction in emissions compared to the classic version!
Taco Salad with Black Beans
Black beans (1 cup): 0.05 kg CO₂e
Plant-based cheddar cheese (½ cup): 0.25 kg CO₂e
Avocado (1 small): 0.1 kg CO₂e
Total emissions: 0.4 kg CO₂e
This version cuts emissions by 97%, reducing the carbon footprint to almost nothing—equivalent to driving less than 1 mile.
Healthier Planet & Body
Beyond cutting emissions, these swaps offer clear nutritional advantages. Both plant-based options offer significantly more fiber—up to 16 grams in the black bean version compared to just 6 grams in the classic. Additionally, the plant-based swaps provide valuable nutrients like iron, calcium, and potassium, making them a wholesome and climate-friendly alternative without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
If everyone made simple swaps like this just once a week, the collective reduction in climate emissions would be massive. And with plant-based options becoming tastier and more accessible, it’s never been easier to make climate-friendly meals part of your routine.
Ready to Eat for Impact?
Next time you’re craving a taco salad, try a plant-based version.
Whether you go for black beans or plant-based ground meat, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal while making a positive impact on the planet. Every meal counts, and together, we can build a healthier, more sustainable future.