What You Need To Know
- The highest producer of carbon dioxide of your meal is macaroni and cheese
- Potatoes are the most climate friendly option
- Vegetables also have a low climate impact
Turkey
The data classifies turkey as poultry meat. The main course of your meal will contribute about 21 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere.
Raising and the transport of turkeys from farms to processing is factored into the environmental impact of the main dish.
Mashed Potatoes
Now to some of your favorite sides during this festive feast.
Potatoes are climate friendly. I really enjoy mashed potatoes with gravy.
They produce about 1 lb of greenhouse emissions. Potatoes are the most climate friendly option because they are sustainably grown.
The starchy vegetable uses less water and land to grow.
Macaroni and Cheese
It’s a different story for macaroni and cheese, which is a popular side dish during this time of year. The cheesy side contributes about 37 lbs of CO2 to the atmosphere.
Macaroni and cheese has a high climate compact because the milk needed to make the cheese comes from cows, goats and sheep.
Livestock from these animal groups creates and emits greenhouse gases.
Vegetables
Vegetables are also important for the Thanksgiving meal. Whether it’s asparagus, broccoli or peas, all of them have a lower climate impact.
All three vegetables contribute less than 2 lbs of greenhouse gases.
Just like potatoes, it takes less natural resources to grow these vegetables.
Biscuits
We cannot forget about those Thanksgiving biscuits. The buttery bread has a climate impact of 4 lbs of CO2.
The ingredients are key in determining the impact of this item. Flour, butter, salt, sugar and milk make up biscuits.
So, the study is taking in account the ingredients used to determine the impact of this flaky bread.
Desserts
Let’s discuss some deserts. Unfortunately, the study does not include pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie, but they list apple pie and carrot cake.
Apple pie contributes about 3 lbs of CO2 to the atmosphere, while carrot cake contributes 4 lbs of greenhouse emissions.
Like biscuits, the study took into account the ingredients to make the desserts.
Conclusion
No matter what you eat this Thanksgiving, enjoy it and be happy with your friends and family.
I know I am going to grab 2 to 3 plates myself.
There’s a lot to be thankful for this year, so enjoy and have a festive and safe holiday.
FAQs
- Why does macaroni and cheese have a high climate impact?
Macaroni and cheese has a high climate compact because the milk needed to make the cheese comes from cows, goats and sheep. Livestock from these animal groups creates and emits greenhouse gases.
- What vegetable has the lowest climate impact?
Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli or peas have a lower climate impact, contributing less than 2 lbs of greenhouse gases.
- Which dish has the lowest carbon footprint?
Potatoes, specifically mashed potatoes with gravy, have the lowest climate impact, producing about 1 lb of greenhouse emissions.
- What determines the climate impact of biscuits?
The ingredients used in biscuits, such as flour, butter, salt, sugar and milk, contribute to the climate impact.
Macaroni and cheese has a high climate compact because the milk needed to make the cheese comes from cows, goats and sheep. Livestock from these animal groups creates and emits greenhouse gases.
Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli or peas have a lower climate impact, contributing less than 2 lbs of greenhouse gases.
Potatoes, specifically mashed potatoes with gravy, have the lowest climate impact, producing about 1 lb of greenhouse emissions.
The ingredients used in biscuits, such as flour, butter, salt, sugar and milk, contribute to the climate impact.
