Oprah hosted Michael Pollan on her show today via Skype, and he shared five excellent Earth Day eating tips that will benefit you and the planet.  I think it’s wonderful that Oprah is helping to educate her viewers about the incredibly important, but often overlooked, connection between our food and the environment.

Here are Michael’s recommendations on how to eat green for Earth Day and every day:

1. Meatless Mondays

You can do the planet and yourself a huge favor by skipping meat just one day a week.  Learn more by check out the latest Meatless Monday video:

2. Shop the Outer Ring of the Supermarket

The healthiest foods are on the periphery of the supermarket, so steer clear of the processed junk in the middle aisles.  In addition to being less healthy, the “food” in those inner aisles often creates the most waste and requires excessive amounts of fossil fuels.

3. Buy Organic When You Can

Buying organic and locally provides you with more nutrients for your buck and greatly minimizes the fossil fuels needed to grow and transport conventional food.

4.  Only Eat Real Food

In other words, don’t eat anything your grandparents wouldn’t recognize, which generally means avoiding strange shapes, sizes and colors.

5.  Start Your Own Vegetable Garden

According to Michael, growing your own vegetables is the “single greenest thing you can do”.  And you know I’m a big fan of backyard gardening!
takepart by learning more about how what you eat effects the planet by checking out the social action page of the upcoming film Food Inc.