Creating a clean and eco-friendly space in which to cook shouldn’t stress you out. Here’s how going green in your kitchen benefits your health.

Fasting is one of many lifestyle habits that lead to a healthier you. So is sustainability.

Going green is something everyone should consider doing. Recycling, reusing, reducing—all are part of a better ecosystem, and all help with environmental waste. So how does going green affect people in their own homes? In short, a home that’s not green can increase its occupants’ illnesses and health risks and, of course, affect the environment. Learning how going green in your kitchen benefits your health and that of those around you is essential in making a difference.

Shop Smarter

One of the ways you can go green in your kitchen to benefit your health is to shop more intelligently. Buying too much produce and other goods can result in unnecessary waste and pollution. Planning meals ahead of time and taking fewer car trips to the store are part of bettering your health. Try creating a meal plan and meal prepping once or twice a week; it will reduce waste and save you money in the long run.

If you’re craving snacks, make snacks from scratch versus buying sugary snacks wrapped in wasteful plastic. You can always make homemade smoothies, nut mixes, and oat-based treats—so many to choose from! Here’s another tip: eating less meat can reduce greenhouse gas production.

Use Less Waste

Waste is one of the most prominent problems societies have when it comes to pollution and health risks. People buy a lot of products that they end up not finishing—products that often come in bulky packaging and wasteful plastic. So instead of wasting your money and filling up landfills, consider buying biodegradable or recycled goods instead.

One tip is to keep a list of what you need for your regular grocery shopping trips rather than grab items off the shelves on a whim. You can also donate any unused canned goods to a food pantry and save your food scraps for yard compost.

Clean with Green Products

You also need to know how to sustain a healthy and clean kitchen environment. Stains, spills, dirt accumulation—all are part of using a kitchen space. So you naturally want to keep it clean to prevent illness and infestation. However, you also don’t want to use products that can risk your health, so consider using eco-friendly cleaning products instead. Whether they’re for hardwood flooring or kitchen counters, many green cleaners are easy to make yourself. A simple mixture of white vinegar, warm water, baking soda, and lemon juice can do wonders for your cooking space. It’s inexpensive and only takes a few minutes to make. You can even keep a bottle of soapy water around to clean quick spills. If that isn’t an option, you can usually find eco-friendly alternatives to the usual cleaning brands at your local grocery store.

Staying eco-friendly can often challenge a homeowner, but it shouldn’t keep you from trying. Some quick and straightforward research can usually do the trick, and there’s always something new to learn. So try out that cleaning mixture and see what it does. Your ecosystem will thank you for it in the long run.