Why

Supplements are used in special situations where clients cannot consume the quantity or type of food needed to provide sufficient calories or sufficient quantities of a particular nutrient. Supplements are never the most sustainable choice, however homemade enrichment more sustainable than commercial supplements.

How can I change?

Making your own supplements is easy and cost-effective and is the most sustainable option. However, when commercial supplements are needed, their sustainability can be determined from their ingredients and packaging. Sustainable supplements contain ingredients which are environmentally friendly and ethically produced, with the least amount of single-use packaging.

Supplement

Pureed
starches, vegetables, fruits
Supplements
baked goods, soups, hot cereals, hot beverages, smoothies and juice, sauces
Commercial supplements
soy protein isolate, whey powder

Prepare

Oatmeal can be flavoured with nut butter.

Sprinkle nutritional yeast on foods as you would sprinkle salt.

Cook

Soups, broths, and sauces can be made with miso paste. It is rich in manganese, copper, B vitamins and probiotics (beware of sodium).

Choose

  • Organic ingredients are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides.
  • In bulk. This reduces the use of paper and/or plastic packaging.
  • If possible, paper packaging. Polystyrene (plastic) packaging was found to have a higher environmental impact than recycled paper and produced up to 16 times more greenhouse gases.

Did you know

Baked goods, such as cookies, muffins, and bread, can be supplemented with cricket or legume flour.

Cream soups can be enhanced with whey or skim milk powder.

Recipe idea!

Discover our roasted acorn squash!

Download the recipe

Toolbox

See our appendices for more information on the supplements chapter

Download appendices

DOWNLOAD THE CHAPTER!

Choose sustainable supplements

Download Chapter 11: Supplements

Download the guide

This document aims to support the creation of sustainable menus in the food service sector, a step by step approach. It offers relevant tools to reduce the environmental impact of the food served and contribute to socio-economic development.

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Proteins