A list of sustainable foods that are best for your health and our planet

A new large-scale analysis published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences  examines the environmental impact and healthfulness of 15 different foods. Researchers considered which foods have been scientifically linked to decreasing the risk of disease in combination with the resources required to produce them. Not all foods are created equal when it comes to nutrition, water consumption, pollution, deforestation, and soil erosion.

Sustainability is more than a buzzword. It’s a win all around when the sustainable food on your plate benefits your body as well as the environment. Fostering our personal relationship with Earth—and the global community of food sourcing—connects us to a greater responsibility as inhabitants of this planet.

Unsurprisingly, processed foods and red meat negatively impact the environment 40 times more than vegetables and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, Many of the foods you already eat are good sustainable food choices.

1. fruit

After vegetables, fruit ranked high both in terms of health and sustainability. Like vegetables, fruits don’t require an overabundance of water to grow (looking at you, almonds), and greenhouse gas emissions pale in comparison to production of meat products. Plus, the growth of fruits is good for soil health.

Treat yourself to a healthy slice of strawberry shortcake:

2. Vegetables

You’ve known since you wouldn’t eat them as a child that vegetables are good for you. And now you know they’re the best food you can eat as far as the environment is concerned. Researchers found that vegetables have the most minimal impact on the Earth.

There are 12 vegetable you need to buy organic—and 15 you don’t:

3. Whole grains and refined grains

Grains such as wheat, corn, barley, and quinoa are full of nutrients and certainly are healthy, but vegetables and fruits are still linked with more benefits. They rank high yet still slightly lower when it comes to sustainability too: it takes more work and energy to harvest grains, both whole and refined, than vegetables and fruit, which are less processed.

Here’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about gluten:

4. eggs

When it comes to animal products, eggs rank even higher than fish in terms of sustainability. Egg sourcing creates more greenhouse gasses than vegetables, fruits, grains, and olive oil, but not as much as poultry (interestingly enough) or beef. Eggs also fall in the middle when it comes to land use and soil depletion. On the health front, eggs are a surprising source of antioxidants.

In fact, you might consider eggs “nature’s multivitamin“:

5. Olive oil

Olive oil is linked to good cardiovascular health, and sourcing it creates an environmental footprint smaller than nuts, dairy, and meat.

The Mediterranean diet is a good choice for eating sustainable food:

Taking this ranking into consideration, it’s pretty clear that when you eat for maximum health benefits you directly benefit the environment, too. Pretty cool how that works out right? Just another thing to love about the rise in plant-based eating.

Making healthy, sustainable food choices doesn’t have to be expensive. And if you do eat meat, here’s how to do it in an ethical, sustainable way.

The 5 best health markets in Bakersfield

Looking to check out the best health markets around?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top health markets in Bakersfield, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture next time you're in the market for health markets.

Shoppers in the Bakersfield area historically spend more in fall at food and beverage shops than any other season of the year, according to data on local business transactions from Womply, a provider of CRM and business health for small businesses. The average amount spent per customer transaction at Bakersfield-area food and beverage shops rose to $30 for the metro area in the fall of last year, 5% higher than the average for the rest of the year.

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

1.Sprouts Farmers Market

Topping the list is a location of the Sprouts Farmers Market chain. Located at 10650 Stockdale  Highway, Suite 400 in Seven Oaks, the grocery store, health market and farmers market is the  highest-rated health market in Bakersfield, boasting four stars out of 103 reviews on Yelp.

2.Fit Pantry

Crystal Ranch's Fit Pantry, located at 5519 Calloway Drive, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the health market and breakfast and brunch spot four stars out of 195 reviews.

3.Nature's Food Market And Juice Bar

Next up is downtown's Nature's Food Market and Juice Bar, situated at 2000 H St., Suite 100. With 4.5 stars out of 196 reviews on Yelp, the health market and vegan spot, serving juices, smoothies and more, has proven to be a local favorite.

4.Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins

Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins, a health market that offers vitamins, supplements and more in Park Stockdale, is another go-to, with four stars out of 167 Yelp reviews. Head over to 4308 California Ave. to see for yourself.

5.Mesa Mexican Grill

Over in Crystal Ranch, check out Mesa Mexican Grill, which has earned four stars out of 102 reviews on Yelp. You can find the health market, Mexican restaurant and fast food spot at 5523 Calloway Drive.

This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.