What is Meatless Monday?

Meatless Monday is a global movement that encourages people to reduce their meat consumption one day a week for the health of the planet. You don’t have to fully commit to a vegetarian or vegan diet to have an impact. Research shows that Mondays are the day people are most open to positive changes, as they tend to have a “fresh start” mindset for the week.

Why Eat Less Meat?

The livestock sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and also depletes our scarce resources of water, land, and energy. Decreasing the demand for meat can help decrease these impacts. Cutting down on meat also has numerous benefits to your health such as lower blood pressure and lower risk of issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

What to Eat Instead of Meat

You can still get lots of protein in your diet without meat. Some common substitutes include tofu, tempeh, beans, chickpeas, lentils, mushrooms, and quinoa. You can also visit the Meatless Monday website for tons of recipe options at mondaycampaigns.org. You can find vegan and vegetarian-friendly places to eat by using websites like happycow.net. Just enter your location and you can find numerous restaurant options nearby.  You don’t have to go to a vegan restaurant to eat meatlessly! Try getting creative with meat substitutes in your favorite meals. 

Will it have an Impact?

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, if every American had one meat-free meal per week, the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than 5 million cars off our roads. Every little bit counts, so consider giving Meatless Monday a try.