If you’re looking to add some healthy and nutritious food options to your diet, then look no further than locally sourced foods in Bhutan. Not only are they delicious and fresh, but they also provide a whole host of benefits for both your health and the environment. From supporting local farmers to reducing transportation emissions, there are countless reasons why choosing locally sourced foods is essential for a healthy lifestyle in Bhutan. So let’s dive into the details and explore all the ways you can make healthier choices with every meal!
What are the benefits of eating locally sourced foods?
When it comes to healthy eating, choosing locally sourced foods is essential. This is because many of these foods are less processed and refined, which can promote a healthy body and mind. Additionally, many local foods are also more affordable than their international counterparts.
Here are some of the benefits of eating locally sourced foods:
1. They’re More Beneficial for Your Body
Most locally sourced foods are healthier than their international counterparts because they are less processed and more nutrient dense. They often contain more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds than Foods that have been transported long distances from other parts of the world (Jones 29).
2. They’re Cheaper
Local food is often cheaper than imported food because it is not subject to heavy taxes or tariffs. As a result, you can save money on your grocery bill by choosing to eat locally sourced foods instead of grocery shopping at a foreign store (Duke 183).
3. They’re More Nutritious
A lot of times when food is transported great distances from its original source, it undergoes significant processing in order to make it shelf stable and palatable (Jones 24). Processed foods contain fewer nutrients and may have unfavorable effects on your health such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. By contrast, many local sources oftentimes still contain all the important nutrients that our bodies need like proteins, fruits/veggies, fiber etcetera (Duke 182).
How can you get started with choosing locally sourced foods in Bhutan?
There are a few things you can do to help ensure that your dietary choices in Bhutan are as local and sustainable as possible. The most important thing is to be aware of where your food comes from. When you’re shopping, ask the store owner where the produce was grown or raised. Be sure to read ingredients labels, because some processed foods may contain ingredients sourced from far away.
It’s also important to know how to cook with local ingredients. Many of them have unique flavor profiles that can be enhanced by cooking methods such as slow roasting or barbecuing. And don’t forget about fresh herbs and spices—they bring a lot of flavor and nutrients to dishes when used in moderation.
Another way to get started with choosing locally sourced foods is to sign up for farm visits or cooking classses offered by nonprofits or organizations like Slow food USA. These types of programs provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to make conscious choices about where their food comes from, and they often give participants the opportunity to cook with local ingredients firsthand.
What is an example of a local food item in Bhutan?
One of the most popular local foods in Bhutan is tsamchi. Tsamchi is a type of stir-fry made with vegetables, meats, and a thick chili sauce. It is common to eat tsamchi as an appetizer or main course. Another popular local food in Bhutan is thukpa. Thukpa is a type of soup that is made from ingredients such as meat, potatoes, and barley.
Conclusion
As a global citizen, it is important to us that our food travels as little distance as possible in order to be sustainably produced. Which is why we are excited to be working with some of the best farmers and producers in Bhutan to provide you, the reader, with sustainable local food options. By supporting locally sourced foods and sustainable farming practices, you can help reduce waste and pollution associated with transportation, improve air quality, and promote social justice. We think that this holistic approach to eating is something worth striving for, not only for your own health but also for the health of the planet. Thanks for reading!