By Carin Clegg, Accredited Practising Dietitian

If I had a dollar for every time I heard a client or parent mention to me that when they or their kids have a celebration there is too much junk food, I would be a kajillionaire! It seems like everyone is trying to be healthy, but somehow at these special times, going overboard is the norm.

Not only are these foods not good for our bodies, with little nutrients, they increase our risk of chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease and cancer but they are not good for our planet when it come to the amount of processing, transportation, packaging relating to the greenhouse gas emissions, water used and toxic waste generated.

When we are trying to reduce our eco footprint the first best thing is to eat only what our body needs and minimise over–indulging in foods our bodies do not need.

Celebration times are a great opportunity to help your family and circle of friends be healthy, try some new foods and look after the planet. When people have been role modelling eating planet friendly foods these foods may be more easily accepted at home by the other members of the family who may be a bit hesitant to try those veggie patties or hummus dips and vegetable sticks.

Here are my five top ideas to host a Planet Friendly Party that will help everyone keep healthy too.

Plan not to over cater too much for food

Think about the last event you hosted, how many people and how much food was consumed, then adjust how much you prepare and purchase accordingly.

Choose fresh wholesome foods, minimally packed foods as much as possible

You could even shop at your local wholefood store. Think of easy–to–make homemade dips and veggie sticks, bowls of nuts or trail mix, popcorn or roasted legumes for nibbles. To accompany dessert, serve a fruit platter.

Choose to reuse cutlery and crockery

Ask family and friends to borrow if you need or check out the Party Kit Network. You may need to ask for a few kitchen helpers for the washing up but many hands make light work and most people do not mind helping out.

MANAGE WASTE

Tell your guests how to dispose of waste such as what goes into the compost bin, worm farm, how to recycle right and what goes to the landfill bin. Signs work really well.

Also arrange for leftovers to be taken home to be eaten by asking people to bring a container.

Reduce the amount of ‘sometimes foods’ being brought by others

Ask people to bring specific food items and tell people why you do not want an excess of ‘sometimes foods’.

Here are some suggestions I have heard from families:

• kids go hyperactive, feel sick, it is not good for them when they have too much ‘sometimes foods’.
• there is a history of diabetes in the family and it is important to keep healthy habits even at special occasions as we have so many celebrations now.
• the cake is the treat for the party.
• we want to limit food waste and plastic packaging with our zero waste lifestyle/household.
• most people attending are trying to be healthy too and it is important we look after our guests.

This Plastic Free July join me to make a healthy difference when it comes to celebrations and tread lightly on our Mother Earth.

Join millions of people reducing their plastic waste

Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by pledging to refuse single–use plastics?

For more information, visit www.plasticfreejuly.org

Carin Clegg is the Director of Bright Diets, is a Paediatric Dietitian and Fitness Professional with an interest in sustainability. Carin wants everyone to be clever about their eating to feel happy, healthy and vibrant! Reach out at 0413 77 44 11, www.brightdiets.com.au or on the socials.