Going Green Can Make You Lean

If you switch to vegetarian meals for just one day, you'll save about nine pounds of carbon and roughly 890 calories. Do it for two weeks, and you'll cut the carbon footprint by about 122 pounds and your cals by nearly 12,460. Going green isn't just good for the planet -- it's good for swimsuit season too.

Are you ready to bust out your bikini in preparation for baring your bod this summer? Well, if your intention is to not bust out of the thing when you slip it on, then you might want to consider going green. If you're not convinced this is the way to go, then check out what registered dietitian Kate Geagan has to say. The author of "Go Green Get Lean: Trim Your Waistline with the Ultimate Low-Carbon Footprint Diet" says the American diet is the SUV of eating styles. Clearly, it's time to downsize.

• Two weeks of banning beef (raising beef accounts for 18 percent of global warming emissions worldwide, says Geagan) can shave three and a half pounds off your frame.
  
• One month of halving your sugar intake can save you about 7,500 calories (and about 855 pounds of carbon). Geagan says the typical American eats about 150 pounds' worth of sugar in one year. Cut processed foods and sodas for starters.
  

It's all about smart choices, says Geagan. "Every day we make dozens of food choices. Make smarter ones and you can have an immediate impact on the planet and your health." And yes, on that itsy bitsy bikini too.