Diet culture: the problem with calorie counting

May 18, 2021

How to have a positive relationship with food

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Did you know that 61% of adults feel negative about their body image while 53% report that lockdown made them feel worse about their appearance? But we don’t have to feel like this… Click To Tweet

Diet culture is a pervasive part of modern society. According to a survey by the UK Parliament in 2020, 61% of adults feel negative about their body image while 53% report that lockdown made them feel worse about their appearance. It is estimated that approximately 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. This number has been rising sharply with reports at the start of 2020 stating that hospital admissions increased by 37% in the past 2 years.

Despite this, the UK government recently confirmed that it will be going ahead with plans to make calorie counts mandatory on restaurant menus from April 2022. This arises in an attempt to tackle obesity in the UK which is now thought to be linked to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 among other serious health issues. Almost two-thirds of the UK population is overweight or obese and with statistics like these, it is no surprise that the government wants to take action.

After the year we’ve all had, health is of course a top priority for everyone right now, but is enforced calorie counting the way forward? Not only has it been proven ineffective but it is also highly dangerous for those struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, or even orthorexia*. And for those who are relatively healthy and looking to treat themselves or celebrate with a moment of indulgence, eating out may no longer be the enjoyable, guilt-free experience we all look forward to. What these statistics show us is that the issue isn’t really about eating too many or too few calories but rather our complicated relationship with body image and food. So how can we achieve balance?

_{*Orthorexia is an unhealthy focus on eating in a healthy way. Eating nutritious food is good, but if you have orthorexia, you obsess about it to a degree that can damage your overall well-being. Steven Bratman, MD, a California doctor, coined the term in 1996.}

We know fad diets don’t work. Calorie counting and restrictive eating has been proven to be ineffective in the long-term with two-thirds of people regaining any weight they’ve lost within 1-5 years. If you’ve tried one for yourself, you’ve probably experienced this first hand. But an emerging concept called ‘set point theory’ might explain why this happens. According to this theory, our bodies have a natural, pre-determined weight range that adjusts as we age. When we attempt to alter our weight outside this range by dieting, our hypothalamus, the part of the brain that helps to regulate our hormones and metabolism, kicks into defense mode. Depending on whether we are attempting to lose or gain weight, our metabolism adjusts to conserve or use more calories. Our levels of ghrelin ‘the hunger hormone’ and leptin ‘the satiety hormone’ also adjust, in an attempt to get us to eat more (or less) in order to shift us back to our set point weight.

While further research is required to determine the validity of this theory, its popularity continues to grow, particularly as more people are rejecting diet culture in favour of intuitive eating lifestyles. Intuitive eating is a philosophy that encourages us to reject diet mentality and to instead become more in tune with our hunger and satiety cues. There is no restriction on the type of food you eat but rather a more holistic approach that relies on the individual to determine what their body is craving at any given time. One popular fitness Youtuber and Biomedical Scientist, Stephanie Buttermore, Ph.D., tried this out for herself and went viral last summer with her ‘all-in’ diet, an attempt to reset her hunger cues and settle into her own natural set point weight, with interesting results. While this might be seen as an extreme way to re-learn your relationship with food, ditching the calorie counting is a great place to start. Here at Veo, we know that not all calories are created equal so instead, we’re focused on fuelling our bodies with the very best. All our food is plant-based and free from refined or artificial sugar that is actually known to spike our ghrelin (hunger) levels, sending us out of balance. Here are a few ways to incorporate healthier eating habits into your lifestyle:

Credit: Better Nature | veo.world/betternature

Try a flexitarian diet – For anyone who has previously struggled with restrictive dieting, this method allows for more balanced eating without completely cutting anything out from your diet. If you’re interested in adding a few meat-free meals to your week, check out our range of delicious meat alternatives.
Incorporate more superfoods into your diet – With high vitamin and mineral content, these foods can naturally help your body to fight off disease, increase energy levels and promote overall better health and wellbeing. Check out our high-quality range of superfoods here!
Boost your diet with supplements – In a perfect world we’d always eat the right amount of fruit and veg, drink the right amount of water and get the right amount of sleep but sometimes we just need that extra vitamin boost. Discover our range of plant-based vitamins and supplements here!

It’s time to break up with diet culture. Changing your relationship with food, paying attention to your hunger and satiety cues, and fuelling your body adequately to support optimal function, will help you stay healthy no matter what the scale or calorie tracker says. Click here to discover more of the delicious and nutritious food we have here on Veo.

6 daily habits to improve your mental health

Lydia Oyeniran

May 13, 2021

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1 in 6 people in the UK report experiencing common mental health issues like anxiety and depression every week. Click To Tweet Depression rates doubled during the pandemic but despite this, diagnoses by GPs fell by almost a quarter suggesting that access to mental health services is actually declining. Click To Tweet

Many would advocate that ‘health’ is holistic, encompassing the whole of mind, body & soul. To back this up World Health Organisation defines ‘health’ as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. Despite this, most of us tend to associate being healthy with being physically fit, neglecting the mental and social aspects of our wellbeing. 1 in 6 people in the UK report experiencing common mental health issues like anxiety and depression every week (Mind UK, 2020). These conditions are one of the main causes of the overall disease burden worldwide, costing an estimated £1.6 trillion per year (Barton and Rogerson, 2017). Although the topic of mental health is gradually being taken more seriously, there is still a huge gap between demand and provision of treatment worldwide. Depression rates doubled during the pandemic but despite this, diagnoses by GPs fell by almost a quarter suggesting that access to mental health services is actually declining (The Health Foundation, 2021). With support from healthcare professionals not always available, more and more people are seeking alternative, holistic methods to improve their mental wellbeing. So in honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re sharing 6 daily habits to improve your mental health.

Connect with nature

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is nature. While the benefits of spending time in nature are still being studied and understood, we’ve all experienced that sense of calm that comes from taking a quiet stroll in the park, walking barefoot in grass, or even just spending some time with your pets. Connecting with nature can help you feel more grounded and present in your body, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Studies suggest that nature scenes may activate our parasympathetic nervous system; the system that helps us calm down and recover from stressful events (Park et al 2010; Berto 2014; van den Berg et al 2015; Hunter et al 2019). So even if you don’t have access to outdoor green space, just by viewing nature imagery, you can experience fewer negative emotions, and a more positive mood (Golding et al 2018; McMahan and Estes 2015) et al 2017). Something as simple as buying a houseplant or changing your desktop image can make a difference. Why not see for yourself and try your hand at gardening with Wildflower Seeds from SOP.

Find your work/life balance

Credit: Milly & Sissy | veo.world/millyandsissy

The pandemic has drastically changed the way many of us work. While working from home has had its many perks including no commuting, flexible schedules, and spending more time with loved ones, it has also blurred the lines between work and personal life. Working overtime, taking fewer breaks, and feeling isolated from work colleagues has lead to 29% of people feeling that working from home has negatively impacted their health and well-being (Royal Society for Public Health, 2021). To reduce this negative impact, it is important to set clear boundaries. Stop answering emails and messages sent after work hours and take a screen break to help you transition. Use this time to make yourself dinner or to have a relaxing bath. Give your self-care routine an upgrade with our collection of bath & shower pamper essentials.

Prioritise sleep

Another aspect that negatively impacts mental health and often results from a lack of work/life balance is sleep deprivation. A phenomenon called revenge bedtime procrastination is gaining interest in sleep studies and describes the intentional decision to stay up late in order to make up for the lack of leisure time experienced during the day. However, the cycle of sleeping late and waking up early means our bodies often have less time to recharge, adversely affecting our mood as well as our ability to think clearly or make decisions. To combat this it is essential to maintain a consistent sleep routine. There are many highly effective natural supplements available to aid in experiencing better quality sleep including herbal teas and CBD. Check out our range of ‘hemp healers’ here, recommended for easing insomnia and helping with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Choose ‘mood-boosting’ foods

The food we eat has a major impact on our mental wellbeing; impacting our mood, energy levels, and ability to think clearly. Fluctuations in blood sugar can cause irritability and result in come-downs throughout the day while imbalances in the gut can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and brain fog. Good gut health actually aids in the production of Serotonin a.k.a the ‘happiness’ hormone; our neurotransmitter which helps regulate our mood as well as our sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory. So one easy way we can improve our mental health is by improving our diet. Swap out refined carbs and sugar for slow-release energy foods such as wholewheat pasta, oats, wholegrain bread, nuts, and seeds. Stay hydrated, get in your 5 a day and incorporate more fermented foods into your diet to give your body the nutrients it needs to regulate both your physical and mental function. For more on healthy food swaps to incorporate into your diet, check out our blog post on Easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle: food & drink.

Take your vitamins

Credit: SuperFoodLx | veo.world/superfoodlx

In a perfect world, we would always get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, and eat all our fruits and vegetables but sometimes we just need an extra nutrient boost. Vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are essential for cognitive function and deficiencies can negatively impact our ability to regulate our mood. One way we can boost our brain vitality is to take vitamins and supplements more regularly. Studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of supplements such as omega-3 may ease symptoms of depression and anxiety while Vitamin B is reported to help regulate stress levels in the body. While the impact of vitamins on mental health still requires more in-depth study, we can all benefit from giving ourselves the nutrients we need for optimal wellbeing. Discover our range of high-quality, plant-based supplements and vitamins, here!

Stay active

Most of us are aware by now of the amazing benefits of exercise. Even just a short 10-minute burst of physical activity can improve mood, increase mental alertness and boost energy. Whether it’s your daily work commute or a weekend pilates class, we can all afford to add a little more movement into our day. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and can also improve self-esteem and provide an opportunity to socialise with others, reducing feelings of loneliness or isolation. Ready to start your exercise journey and want to look the part? Check out our range of women’s and men’s activewear.

So those are just a few easy ways to positively improve your mental health. While these solutions are suggested to help with mild symptoms, they are not to be taken in place of medical advice. Always seek help from a professional when you need it and recognise that you are never alone.

Easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle: home & leisure

Lydia Oyeniran

May 11, 2021

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Organic pollutant (VOC) levels are 2 to 5 times higher inside the home than outside, originating from common household items like cleansers & disinfectants. Click To Tweet

Welcome to the third edition in our series of easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle. Let’s talk home and leisure. Maintaining any new habit or lifestyle begins at home and sustainable living is no exception. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, organic pollutant (VOC) levels are 2 to 5 times higher inside the home than outside, originating from common household items like cleansers and disinfectants. Our homes can also be a huge source of domestic waste with 26 million tonnes being produced in the UK each year. While transforming your home into an eco-haven might feel daunting, there are some easy changes we can all make to live better for ourselves and for the planet. From your grocery shop to your cleaning products, we’re sharing some easy eco swaps that will help make your living space healthier and more sustainable.

Reusable Produce Bags

Credit: Tabitha Eve | veo.world/tabithaeve

When creating a more eco-friendly home, a great place to start is with your shopping habits and the items you bring into your living space. A weekly trip to the supermarket can quickly accumulate waste; from single-use plastic bags to excessive food packaging. An easy solution to this is switching to reusable shopping bags. These bags are perfect for carrying fresh produce from your local market and can be easily stored in your handbag or rucksack for those impromptu after-work grocery trips. Discover luxurious linen produce bags and other zero-waste kitchen essentials from Tabitha Eve, right here on Veo.

Environmentally-friendly cleaning products

Credit: Delphis Eco | veo.world/delphiseco

From toxic chemicals to non-biodegradable plastic packaging, our cleaning products can have adverse impacts on both our health and the environment. Many common cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that release pollutants into the air which can cause health problems in animals and people (particularly those with underlying issues such as asthma). These products may also contain phosphates that promote increased fertilisation in oceans, leading to the overproduction of algae which depletes oxygen and can disrupt marine ecosystems. One step we can take to combat this is to intentionally seek out environmentally-friendly alternatives that are clean and toxin-free. Brands such as Delphis Eco produce eco-friendly cleaning solutions that are plant-based, vegan-friendly, biodegradable, and free from VOCs, phosphates, and other harmful chemicals.

Soy wax candles

Credit: Buff Natural Body Care | veo.world/buffnaturalbodycare

There’s no better feeling than lighting a scented candle to wind down at the end of a long day. However, conventional candles can actually cause more harm than good for your home and the environment. Candles are typically made from paraffin wax, a cheap petroleum by-product of crude oil that releases potentially carcinogenic pollutants into the air when burned. A healthier, more sustainable alternative to this is switching to soy wax candles instead. Derived from vegetable oil, they are biodegradable, use renewable resources and burn clean without harmful pollutants. Check out our selection of eco-friendly soy candles scented with natural essential oils, here!

4. Organic cotton bedding

Credit: Their Story | veo.world/theirstory

By now, most of us are familiar with the unsustainable practices associated with the production of conventional cotton. The process often requires huge volumes of water to produce a very small yield of cotton and typically involves the use of harmful pesticides. So when it comes to choosing your bedding, one easy swap you can make is to opt for organic cotton instead. Organic cotton farming prohibits the use of synthetic hazardous pesticides and also requires far less water as it is grown in rain-fed areas that keep the crops watered regularly. Check out Their Story for high-quality organic certified, Fair Trade bedding, designed for you to rest easy.

Those are just a few great ways to make your home environment healthier and more sustainable. If you enjoyed this, you’ll love our blog post on How To Declutter Your Home Sustainably. For more in this series, check out:

Easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle: health & beauty

Easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle: food & drink

4 Sustainable Fair Trade Brands We Know You’ll Love

Lydia Oyeniran

May 6, 2021

This Saturday (8th May 2021) is World Fair Trade Day, a day dedicated to promoting and raising awareness of the global Fair Trade movement. But what exactly is Fair Trade and why does it matter? Fair Trade organisations were set up in order to support small-scale local farmers who are often exploited under conventional trading practices. These organisations promote fair wages, transparent supply chains, and the protection of the environment by prohibiting farmers from using harmful agrochemicals and advising them on how to utilise more environmentally friendly farming methods. By choosing to purchase from brands that utilise Fair Trade ingredients and materials, you not only support the livelihoods of small-scale farmers but you can also feel good knowing you are getting high-quality, healthy, sustainable products that taste, look and feel amazing. We’re proud to stock some incredible brands right here on Veo that support Fair Trade practices. Check them out below:

1. Their Story

Sink into luxurious comfort with blissful bedding from Their Story. Using only Fair Trade certified organic cotton, they produce high-quality bed linens in India, ensuring sweatshop-free labour, fair wages, and excellent working conditions. With Their Story, you can rest easy knowing that the sheets you sleep on were made both ethically and sustainably, protecting both people and the planet.

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2. Ethically Organic

Credit: Ethically Organic | veo.world/ethicallyorganic

If you’re seeking out cruelty-free, organic beauty products to add to your routine, you’ll love Ethically Organic. They are dedicated to promoting toxin-free, natural skincare, and source all their ingredients from sustainable and fair trade suppliers. Even better, these suppliers are local to the UK which means they can keep their carbon footprint as low as possible while ensuring high quality, good working conditions, and fair wages. Looking to make more eco swaps to your beauty regimen? Check out this blog post!

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3. Nudnik

Your little ones deserve the best and with Nudnik, you can ensure they get just that! Nudnik creates children’s apparel from the offcuts of organic cotton fabrics that would otherwise end up in landfill as waste. Not only are their products sustainable but they are also ethically made. They use transparent supply chains with manufacturers in India that are SA-8000, GOTS, Fair Trade, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 and UPMADE certified. Kids grow up fast but with Nudnik, you don’t have to throw those outgrown clothes away. Both their clothing AND their packaging are fully compostable!

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4. NEMI Teas

NEMI Teas is a London-based tea company offering a soothing array of tea blends, available both in loose leaf form and in plastic-free, biodegradable tea bags. Not only are their teabags organic, Fair Trade, and Rainforest-Alliance certified, but NEMI Teas also support local refugees through employment, providing the necessary work experience and skills to participate positively in the UK workforce. So you can settle down, relax and make a brew knowing you are positively supporting and protecting local communities and the environment.

SHOP FOOD & DRINK

Your consumer choices can help promote a fairer, more sustainable future. To find out more about our Sustainability work here at Veo, click here!

Easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle: health & beauty

Lydia Oyeniran

May 4, 2021

Easy eco swaps for a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle: health and beauty

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The global cosmetics industry produces 120bn units of packaging every year, majority of which isn't recyclable Click To Tweet Menstrual products are the 5th most common type of waste found on European beaches. Click To Tweet

We’re back with another round of easy eco swaps for a more healthy, sustainable lifestyle and this week is all about health & beauty. If you’re an MUA in the making or an avid member of the #selfcareclub, chances are you feel most at home in the beauty aisle. Your bathroom cabinets are likely filled to the brim with makeup, skincare, and bathroom products that form part of an extensive 20-step beauty routine. However, the ever-growing demand for beauty is unfortunately also contributing to a substantial amount of water pollution and waste. The global cosmetics industry produces 120bn units of packaging every year, majority of which isn’t recyclable (The Guardian, 2019). Many common beauty products also contain harmful chemicals that run from our drains into the oceans, polluting marine ecosystems. With growing awareness of the beauty industry’s negative environmental and health impacts, a call for sustainable beauty might be just what the doctor ordered. While you might not be ready to part with all your favourite beauty products just yet, we’ve got some easy sustainable alternatives that will simplify your everyday beauty routine, improve your health and help the planet in the process.

1. Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

easy eco swaps for a more sustainable lifestyle: health & beauty | reusable makeup remover pads — Credit: Flawless | veo.world/flawless

Disposable cotton pads are something most of us use on a daily basis but they have a far more negative impact than we might think. To yield just 1kg of cotton, it can require up to 20,000 litres of water. Non-organic cotton also utilises harmful pesticides and fertilisers which are detrimental to the health of both humans and wildlife. One easy way to reduce the demand for single-use cotton is by switching to reusable makeup remover pads. Not only are they a far better choice for the environment, but they are also more cost-effective in the long run. Click here to shop them on Veo!

2. Bathroom Refills

easy eco swaps for a more sustainable lifestyle: health & beauty | bathroom refills — Credit: Milly & Sissy | veo.world/millyandsissy

Plastic packaging waste is a huge issue within the beauty industry. According to Plastic Oceans, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050 if significant changes are not made. Not only is marine wildlife being impacted by this, but much like mercury, the microplastics consumed by fish lower down the food chain are also bioaccumulating in the fish we consume in our own diets. One way that we can begin to reduce the need for packaging is by switching to brands that offer product refills and reusable packaging. Brands such as Milly & Sissy offer compostable refill packaging as well as British-made glass and aluminium bottles, making zero-waste self-care easier than ever. Check out their full range of products, here!

3. Menstrual Cups

Credit: Grace & Green | veo.world/graceandgreen

An estimated 200,000 tonnes of sanitary waste go to landfill in the UK each year. Menstrual products are also the 5th most common type of waste found on European beaches. With statistics like these, it’s no wonder people are seeking out a more sustainable, plastic-free period. An easy swap you can make today to reduce your period waste is to ditch the pads and tampons and opt for a reusable menstrual cup instead. Brands like Grace & Green use natural, 100% organic ingredients that put safety first. Conscious on people and planet, you can check them out here!

4. Bamboo Toothbrushes

easy eco swaps for a more sustainable lifestyle: health & beauty | bamboo toothbrushes — Credit: BlueRock | veo.world/bluerock

If you’re looking for a simple way to reduce your plastic usage without having to switch up your routine, swapping out your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one couldn’t be any easier. One of the main issues with conventional toothbrushes is that they usually contain different types of plastics that are difficult to recycle at regular recycling centres. This means they often end up getting discarded and ultimately sent to landfill. Bamboo is a sustainable resource with naturally antibacterial properties making it the perfect eco-friendly alternative for your dental routine. Check out BlueRock for a great selection of bamboo toothbrushes that are perfect for individuals and families alike.

Those are just a few easy eco swaps you can make to your daily routine to create a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle. For all your self-care needs, head to our health & beauty section to discover the amazing, clean, sustainable brands we have here on Veo. Be sure to read our previous post in this series for easy food and drink swaps, here!

How to declutter your home sustainably

Lydia Oyeniran

April 29, 2021

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The average household has around 300,000 items. Click To Tweet 1 in 2 people in the UK admit to holding onto things for longer than they should. Click To Tweet

Minimalism. Some people believe it’s the ultimate path to enlightenment while others think it is something only the privileged few can afford to think about. Whatever your opinion might be, one thing we can all agree on is that much of our lives are overwhelmed by stuff. The average household has around 300,000 items. On average, 1 in 2 people in the UK admit to holding onto things for longer than they should while 1 in 3 say they don’t like the idea of parting with their possessions. But why does having ‘too much stuff’ matter, you may ask? Not only does clutter increase the levels of cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’) in your body, but studies have shown that it can also trigger coping behaviours such as overeating. With clear negative impacts on both mental and physical health, you might be thinking it’s time for a clear out. However, the problem with decluttering is that it can very easily become a wasteful practice. In an effort to achieve that elated feeling that comes from a clean space, we often throw out things that could have been utilised in a much more sustainable way. So we’re sharing some useful tips to help you declutter your home sustainably.

BEDROOM & WARDROBE

If you’ve read our recent blog post on making better fashion choices, you might be feeling the urge to give your wardrobe a reset. However, simply throwing out all your fast fashion pieces is not the way forward. Rather than allowing your unwanted clothes to end up in landfill, it’s important to find ways to extend their life cycle. One option that we typically turn to is donating to charity shops however this may not always be the most sustainable option. Unfortunately, many charity shops have far more clothing than they can sell and particularly in the case of fast fashion pieces, the low quality means they are often impossible to shift. So what happens to those clothes that no one wants? They usually end up being sold abroad, dumped on African economies to deal with, eroding their local textiles industries and polluting their environments as a result. So what’s the alternative? First of all, if your items are still wearable and just need minor repairs, keep them in a separate pile and take them to your local tailoring service to mend. Give your unwanted pieces to people who will actually use them. Do clothing swaps with your friends and family, sell your clothes online, or simply donate them to someone for free! And if you do need to replace any pieces, shop from brands that are ethical and sustainable – click here to discover more.

BATHROOM & BEAUTY PRODUCTS

With skinmalism trending and a return to more ‘natural beauty’ on the rise, there’s a good chance you’ll want to downsize your beauty cabinet. But like anything else in your home, throwing away a half-full bottle of foundation or an unused eyeshadow palette doesn’t get rid of the clutter, it just creates more waste. Of course, if a product gave your skin a horrible reaction or has expired, it should be thrown out. However, if being in lockdown has meant you just haven’t used something as much as you thought you would, don’t count it as clutter – just start using it! With restrictions easing and many of us going out more, now is the perfect time to try a new look and use up some of those beauty products you’ve been holding onto. If you have products that are unopened that you don’t see yourself using any time soon, give them to a friend or family member who will make good use of them. When you do finally run out of beauty products, you can find clean, cruelty-free replacements right here on Veo.

KITCHEN & PANTRY

A popular way that people choose to make their homes more sustainable is by adopting a zero-waste approach to organising their kitchen. This can often mean purchasing tonnes of new jars and baskets for your food, in order to re-create that aesthetically pleasing pantry you saw online. While we totally get how satisfying it is watching those ‘homemaker gurus’ organise their homes to perfection, buying more to have less isn’t really the answer. Chances are, you already have some perfectly good Tupperware that could do the same job. Sure they don’t all match and your cupboards might not look ‘Pinterest-worthy’ but it means that instead of throwing out those plastic takeaway containers, you can actually make use of them, have less plastic waste, and ultimately less stuff. That’s the goal, right?

So essentially, the most sustainable way to declutter isn’t necessarily about getting rid of all your things but finding ways to make better use of what you have, reducing your waste, and shopping more consciously when you do need something new. If you’re looking for brands that prioritise sustainability, functionality, and long-term use, we have an amazing platform to find sustainable home goods all in one place. Head to veo.world to discover more.

Easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle: food & drink

Lydia Oyeniran

April 27, 2021

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Cattle farming in particular produces 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions with 1kg of meat producing the equivalent of 36kg of CO2. Click To Tweet 'On the go' ready meals generate up to 11 billion items of packaging waste per year in the UK, most of which is unfortunately not recycled Click To Tweet

Leading a more healthy & sustainable lifestyle can seem like a daunting task. As we learn more about sustainability and the environmental issues that society is currently facing, it can be easy to feel like we need to change our entire lives overnight. We become overwhelmed with eco-guilt, try to change too quickly, and when we inevitably slip up, we feel guilty all over again and the cycle continues. We start to obsess over our daily lifestyle choices, judging ourselves and sometimes even others when we don’t or can’t always make the most ‘ethical choice’. But guilt is never a sustainable mechanism for change and quitting ‘mainstream consumerism’ cold turkey will probably lead to a ‘relapse’.

So instead of getting up one morning and deciding to sell your petrol car, throw out your entire wardrobe and move to a remote village, start off by making some easy eco swaps that will help you maintain a healthy & sustainable lifestyle in the long term! This week is all about food and drink, so stay tuned for our next segments where we talk home & leisure, health & beauty and, fashion!

Swap #1: Meatless Mondays

Industrial agriculture is responsible for an overwhelming amount of environmental issues facing the planet today. Cattle farming in particular produces 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions with 1kg of meat producing the equivalent of 36kg of CO2. While cutting animal products out altogether can be an effective way to reduce this impact, it is not always practical for everyone. However, one thing we can all learn to do is explore more meat-free options in our diet. According to Meatless Farm, eating just one meat-free meal per week could reduce UK emissions by 8.4%, the equivalent of 50 million tonnes! If you’re ready to make #MeatlessMondays a thing, be sure to check out our selection of meat alternatives here!

Swap #2: Reusable Bottles

Credit: Ocean Bottle | veo.world/oceanbottle

Over 60% of consumers say reducing plastic waste is the most important cause to them. With the average person using 27,545kg of plastic per year (University of Manchester), avoiding plastic altogether can feel like an almost impossible task. While governments have put in place effective measures to reduce the purchase of plastic bags, single-use plastic bottles continue to produce a staggering amount of plastic waste. An easy way to combat this is to invest in a reusable water bottle that you can refill on the go! And if you don’t know where your nearest refill is, we’ve got the perfect app for you. Check out Ocean Bottle for a great selection of reusable bottles that will save the equivalent of 11.4kg of plastic waste!

Swap #3: Home Cooking

‘On the go’ ready meals generate up to 11 billion items of packaging waste per year in the UK, most of which is unfortunately not recycled (Hubbub via The Guardian). One way to reduce your mealtime waste is to ditch those daily ready meals and incorporate more home cooking into your week. By cooking more you can cut down the amount of packaging you throw away on a daily basis, using reusable containers and cutlery instead. Not only will your waste be drastically reduced but you’ll also benefit from better health, knowing exactly what is going into the food you eat. Need to stock up before channelling your inner chef? Check out our grocery section to get you started!

Swap #4: Kombucha

Credit: Loving Foods | veo.world/lovingfoods

You probably already know what we’re going to say; it’s all about gut health. We’re big fans of fermented foods and here’s why. We know the gut is connected to everything from mental health to bloating and digestive issues. Did you know that good gut health also promotes the production of Serotonin a.k.a the ‘happiness’ hormone? Our neurotransmitter which helps regulate our mood as well as our sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory. While soft drinks are known to actively contribute to poor physical and mental health, kombucha has a much more positive impact as an alternative. Made from fermented tea, these ‘fizzy’ drinks not only have a very low environmental impact to produce but are also said to have several health benefits including being high in antioxidants and probiotic-rich. At certain concentrations, the ‘good bacteria’ in kombucha can help to improve digestion and balance the gut microbiome. Check out our full selection of fermented food & drink here!

So there you have it! Four healthy, easy food & drink eco-swaps you can make today that make a big impact when done consistently. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love our post on How to make your grocery shop more eco-friendly.

Buy less, choose well, make it last: how to make better fashion choices

Lydia Oyeniran

April 23, 2021

buy less, choose well, make it last: how to make better fashion choices

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The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, after the oil industry, producing an estimated 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2e Click To Tweet

When it comes to sustainability, the fashion industry still has a very long way to go. An addiction to extremely low prices and fleeting trends has resulted in a ‘fast-fashion’ culture that is destroying the planet at an alarming rate. The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, after the oil industry, producing an estimated 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2e (Fixing Fashion, UK Parliament, 2020). While there is an argument to be made for the positive impacts of making fashion more accessible regardless of income, the unfortunate negative impacts of fast fashion vastly outweigh any positives that may exist.

This week is #FashionRevolutionWeek, a movement created by Fashion Revolution, in response to the tragedy of the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse back in 2013. Eight years later, fashion brands still continue to profit from unethical practices with little being done to regulate them. This past year in particular, fashion brands were under scrutiny for failing to pay garment workers for canceled orders, in an attempt to reduce their losses from the pandemic. This left many garment workers unemployed and resulted in a global call on social media for these companies to #PayUp. It is clear that more and more people are considering the impact that their fashion choices have on the wider community and environment as a whole. So for today’s blog post, we’re sharing some easy ways to buy less, choose well, and make it last with slow fashion.

1. Stop following trends and develop your own style

Credit: Hemper Handmade | veo.world/hemperhandmade

Much of the appeal of fast fashion comes from being able to rock the same trends as your friends, your favourite celebrity, or influencer. We get it, being able to emulate the people you admire can feel empowering, especially when those Instagram likes start pouring in! But the confidence boost you get from creating your own unique look; that’s a feeling that doesn’t go away with the next big trend. By developing your own style, not only will you feel more comfortable with what you wear, but you also won’t break the bank (or the planet) buying more clothes than you need, just to throw them away with the new season.

2. Seek out high-quality, versatile pieces

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infographic that shows the true cost per wear of throwaway 'wear once' fast fashion culture vs buying something more expensive and high quality which lasts longer | how to make better fashion choices — Credit: Veo

When it comes to making better fashion choices you essentially have two options. Option 1: you can spend money purchasing lots of low-quality pieces that are trendy right now but are cheap enough to discard once the ‘gram has seen them. Option 2: you can spend the same amount of money buying fewer pieces that are high-quality, go with almost every outfit, and will last for the next few years. We are all guilty of thinking we get good value from Option 1, proudly telling our friends the long list of things we bought and getting them to guess how much we got it all for. But it’s not long before all those pieces end up at the back of your wardrobe, never to be worn again. The true value comes from having a wardrobe you can mix and match to create classic outfits that you’ll wear time and time again.

3. Look for environmentally-friendly materials

ACBC sneakers made from Bio Skin, a material developed from corn starch | choose environmentally friendly materials: make better fashion choices — Credit: ACBC | veo.world/acbc

It takes around 2700 litres of water to produce just one cotton t-shirt. So if you’re really looking to reduce your impact on the environment, it’s time to take a closer look at the materials in your clothing. Avoid conventional cotton, polyester, acrylic, nylon, and viscose which are difficult to recycle, utilise excessive resources, and release hazardous dyes and microplastics into the environment, disrupting ecosystems. Instead, look for organic alternatives such as organic cotton, organic hemp, and organic linen or recycled alternatives such as recycled cotton or recycled polyester (rPET). Recycled polyester in particular is made from plastic bottles and is therefore, a great way to support the reduction of plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfill. New and innovative biomaterials are being created every day using anything from pineapple leaves (Pinatex) to grape skins. Check out ACBC, a brand that makes innovative footwear that is comfortable and versatile, made entirely from recycled and bio-based materials.

4. Take better care of the clothes you have

Take better care of your clothes by washing less, learning to repair clothing, air drying your clothes: make better fashion choices — Credit: Bruno Nascimento

Even if you can’t replace your entire wardrobe with eco-friendly fabrics and materials, one thing we can all do is take better care of our clothes. Simple things like checking the care instructions can ensure your clothes don’t become worn out and dull over time. Washing your clothes less frequently in general not only helps maintain the quality of your clothing but is also better for the environment as it reduces water waste and water pollution from detergents and microplastics. Another great way to make your clothes last longer is to learn how to do basic repairs. Being able to replace a button or stitch up a small rip in your clothing means you can avoid throwing away pieces that are otherwise still wearable.

5. If you must buy fast fashion, buy it second-hand

If you must buy fast fashion, buy it secondhand e.g. on depop, vinted etc | make better fashion choices — Credit: Ivana Cajina

While ideally, we’d love to avoid fast fashion altogether, it’s a process. We understand that shopping from sustainable brands only can be a challenging transition due to lack of accessibility, financial restrictions, and more. So if for any reason you have to buy something from a fast fashion brand, avoid creating additional demand by shopping second-hand. There are countless platforms that allow you to buy and resell clothes you are no longer wearing, helping to promote a circular economy. By only purchasing second-hand fast fashion, not only are you keeping these products out of landfill for longer, but it’s cost-effective as well!

And if you’re looking for a platform to get you started on your transition, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our Fashion section to discover the best, fashion-forward, sustainable brands on the market!

Do consumers really care about sustainability?

Lydia Oyeniran

April 20, 2021

We decided to find out for ourselves, with our new study that gives a whole new meaning to ‘retail therapy’

When 9 out of 10 consumers want to shop more sustainably, yet 8 out of 10 struggle to discover brands and products that live up to their ideals we knew we had to take action (from Deloitte, Sustainability). While we know there are plenty of passionate conscious consumers that are dedicated to the pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle, we wanted to know what the ‘general’ consumer thinks. According to Futerra, 88% of us want brands to step up on sustainable lifestyles. So as part of our mission to make ‘earth friendly‘ mainstream, we set out towards the end of 2020 on a research and study project to find out how to best deliver our mission.

Retail therapy is something many of us are very familiar with, yet whilst it is proven to help lift moods even well past the moment of purchase, it turns out we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact it is having and seeking ways to make our retail therapy more mindful.

Our research activities will continue indefinitely, as we engage with various partners, research bodies, and universities to build the data for us to continually improve our products and platform for our community (that’s you). We recently completed a research project, in collaboration with Code-switch Associate Research Consultants and several leading academic institutions (more details below), as a cross-generational study of 1,000 participants in 34 countries to investigate how consumers around the world were shopping, and exactly how consumers really feel about sustainability and the causes they care about most. Here’s what we found out!

What we found

For the average consumer, ethics was the most important factor after price and quality, scoring higher than convenience, brand loyalty, and individuality. This demonstrates that consumers are more likely to prioritise sustainability over more convenient alternatives on the high street if the perceived value is there. Here at Veo, we believe that sustainability and quality are intrinsically linked and that one shouldn’t exist without the other. That’s why we’re dedicated to ensuring our customers never have to compromise on their choices: the good stuff, no compromise.

Additionally, consumers were also motivated by how a brand identifies itself. For example, many participants stated that they intentionally seek to support diversity and positive social movements like companies that identify as black/BAME-owned, female-led, plant-based/vegan, independent, local and more. This reflects a wider demand for brands to reflect the same ideals as their customers. According to the 5WPR’s Consumer Culture Report, 83% of Millennials believe it is important for the brands they purchase from to align with their values. Our own findings were similar with the majority of consumers rating a brand’s ‘eco reputation’ as at least 7 out of 10 in terms of importance (see figure 2).

Figure 2. ‘how environmentally and/or ethically motivated when it comes to shopping habits and purchases’:

So consumers want brands that care about the causes that matter to them, but what causes do they care about most? Over 60% of consumers said reducing plastic waste was the most important cause to them when making a purchasing decision. With documentaries like Seaspiracy hot on people’s minds, this comes as no surprise! Animal welfare and recycling/upcycling were second and third with over 40%, followed by non-toxic/chemical-free with just under 40%. It’s clear from this that consumers care about a wide range of issues that pertain to sustainability from kindness to animals to environmental impact and general health. That’s why at Veo, we aren’t just focused on 1 single-issue campaign but holistically on 3 key pillars. We ensure that all the products on our platform are kind, healthy, and sustainable.

Over 60% of consumers said reducing plastic waste was the most important cause to them when making a purchasing decision. With documentaries like #Seaspiracy hot on people’s minds, this comes as no surprise! Click To Tweet

*Figure 4. ‘Importance of campaigns for general consumers’:*

As awareness continues to grow regarding the environmental impacts of consumption, consumers are particularly interested in the materials used to make the products they purchase. Recycled/upcycled materials were highly popular along with an interest in bio-materials. This is something we champion here at Veo with brands such as Little by Little, who use recycled silver or ACBC that create sneakers from innovative materials derived from corn starch, apple skin, and more!

What do you think of the results? Tweet us @veo_world to share your views!

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Veo study, March 2021:

Study was delivered as part of Code-Switch’s Research Consultancy Programme: an interdisciplinary team of PhD researchers from academic institutions and partnerships across the UK, including the Universities of Exeter and Lancaster and with the participation of a researcher from Queen’s University Belfast. Researchers were funded by the ESRC NPIF Accelerating Business Collaborations fund and the Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership.

How to make your grocery shop more eco-friendly

Lydia Oyeniran

April 15, 2021

According to a report released in March 2020 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), British households produce over 26 million tonnes of waste each year; around 6.6 million tonnes of this is food waste. Even more shocking is the fact that over 70% of the food waste thrown away annually, is food that could have been eaten. A weekly/monthly trip to the supermarket is something most of us do on autopilot, not really thinking about the wider impact we might be having. However, there are small changes that we could all be making that would greatly help to reduce the amount of household and food waste we produce. Today we’re breaking down some easy ways to make your grocery shop more eco-friendly. Keep reading to find out more!

Did you know? British households produce over 26 million tonnes of waste each year; around 6.6 million tonnes of this is food waste. Click To Tweet

Use up everything in your kitchen first

The first step to having a more eco-friendly grocery shop starts at home. Far too often we let the excitement of heading to the supermarket cloud our judgement of how much we actually need. How many times have you bought something, only to open the cupboards and find that you already had it? Go through your cupboards (and the back of the fridge) before you head out shopping. If you have left over produce or ingredients, it’s time to get creative! Head to websites like Pinterest to discover new recipes that you can recreate using what’s already in your kitchen.

Plan your shop ahead of time

Once you know what you actually need, it’s time to plan. Create a menu for the week or month and decide what meals you want to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and anything in between. This will mean you can decide exactly what you need to buy and can avoid purchasing food that you won’t end up eating. Make a thorough list and stick to it! There’s no better feeling than knowing the overnight oats you prepped the night before are waiting for you when you wake up!

Buy only what you need or can comfortably store

Another way to avoid excess is to only buy what you are able to comfortably store in your home. If you find yourself regularly running out of space in the fridge/freezer, and having to store chilled food in the cupboard, there’s a good chance your food will end up going bad and being thrown away. This can especially be the case if you tend to buy in bulk. Avoid this by knowing the capacity of your home and not buying more than you can keep. If you’re looking for ways to maximise the space you do have, invest in refillable storage jars for your food. Not only do they tend to take up less space than food left in packaging but they also enable you to see exactly how much you have available. And if you are able to visit a ‘zero waste’ store local to you then you can refill your containers and jars without creating any waste- super win!

Use reusable shopping bags

Since the introduction of the 5p bag charge, the sale of single-use plastic bags has reduced by 95% since 2015 (The Guardian, 2020). While this is amazing, we can all slip up now and then, forgetting to bring reusable shopping bags with us. To make this easier, keep your shopping bags somewhere that you can always access them e.g. by the front door, in your car, on your bike, or in your rucksack.

Shop local where possible

There are several benefits to shopping locally rather than using mainstream supermarkets. Not only are you helping to support your local businesses, but you are also more likely to find loose, fresh produce without the packaging. Shopping locally also means you can avoid a lengthy car trip to the nearest superstore by choosing to stay more close to home. At Veo we work with independent brands around the UK and globally, so you can identify products and support brands close to you.

Buy versatile ingredients that can be used for multiple meals

Finally, while it can be fun to try experimental dishes now and then, if you are buying more specialist ingredients than you need, you’ll often end up with leftovers that can’t be used for anything else. Instead, stick to versatile ingredients that can work throughout the month for multiple dishes. This way, you’ll be more likely to use up everything you have without throwing any food away.

Moving towards zero-waste living is never an easy transition so we hope these tips help make the process feel slightly more achievable, no matter what stage you’re at. If you struggle to find eco-friendly grocery swaps at your regular supermarket, we have our very own grocery section here at Veo. Here you’ll find brands that are already doing the work to be sustainable so you can shop with ease knowing you’re helping the planet without compromising on taste or quality.

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How to have a positive relationship with food

Connect with nature

Find your work/life balance

Prioritise sleep

Choose ‘mood-boosting’ foods

Take your vitamins

Stay active

Reusable Produce Bags

Environmentally-friendly cleaning products

Soy wax candles

4. Organic cotton bedding

1. Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

2. Bathroom Refills

3. Menstrual Cups

4. Bamboo Toothbrushes

BEDROOM & WARDROBE

BATHROOM & BEAUTY PRODUCTS

KITCHEN & PANTRY

Swap #1: Meatless Mondays

Swap #2: Reusable Bottles

Swap #3: Home Cooking

Swap #4: Kombucha

1. Stop following trends and develop your own style

2. Seek out high-quality, versatile pieces

Pin It!

3. Look for environmentally-friendly materials

4. Take better care of the clothes you have

5. If you must buy fast fashion, buy it second-hand

We decided to find out for ourselves, with our new study that gives a whole new meaning to ‘retail therapy’

Pin It!

Use up everything in your kitchen first

Plan your shop ahead of time

Buy only what you need or can comfortably store

Use reusable shopping bags

Shop local where possible

Buy versatile ingredients that can be used for multiple meals