Some of you probably read that title and thought, “WHAT?! Has she lost her mind?! I’m not vegetarian!” Well, I’m not either so hear me out!!!
Meatless Mondays is a campaign that started in 2003 and has picked up steam over the years. Meatless Mondays, in association with Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health, encourages individuals to start the week with healthy, environmentally friendly meat-free alternatives. Their goal is to help you reduce your meat consumption by 15% in order to improve your personal health and the health of the planet. One day a week. That’s it!
So why go meatless? Here’s why:
- Limits Cancer Risk: Hundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Both red and processed meat consumption are associated with colon cancer.
- Reduces Heart Disease: Recent data from a Harvard University study found that replacing saturated fat-rich foods (for example, meat and full fat dairy) with foods that are rich in polyunsaturated fat (for example, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds) reduces the risk of heart disease by 19%
- Fights Diabetes: Research suggests that higher consumption of red and processed meat increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Curbs Obesity: People on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A recent study from Imperial College London also found that reducing overall meat consumption can prevent long-term weight gain.
- Live Longer: Red and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.
- Reduces Your Carbon Footprint: The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation. And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.
- Minimizes Water Usage: The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.
- Helps Reduce Fossil Fuel Dependence: On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein. Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand.
Isn’t that awesome?!! It’s good for you AND the environment! I have been doing Meatless Mondays since August. And I’ll admit that is was hard in the beginning. But is fairly simple now! They key is making sure you plan ahead and eat the right foods. One day without eating meat doesn’t mean I eat potato chips and fries all day! J Here are some meatless dishes that I’m sure you will LOVE!!!
I tricked my whole family with this! No one knew the spaghetti was meatless!
Morning Star Farms and Boca Burger have TONS of meatless food options! From chicken to sausage to burgers and breakfast items! There are so many choices! So give it a try and go Meatless this Monday!
Have a GREAT weekend!!!
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