Wanna live a healthier lifestyle and save the planet? Meatless Monday is the simple solution.
What is Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is a powerful, world-wide movement with its sights set on encouraging healthy people and a healthy planet. The plan is simple: eat a meatless diet on Mondays.
This global initiative was launched by Sid Lerner in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It requires little commitment and minimal sacrifice. It’s just one day a week. But you’ll find communities, restaurants, schools, and cities who are taking on the challenge. There is incredible power when groups of people band together and focus on the greater good. Taking one simple step in the right direction gives you the confidence and motivation to keep going. These small habits form a path to a healthier lifestyle and a healthier planet.
Why Monday?
We all know diets start on Monday, right? No one starts chasing new goals on a lazy Saturday afternoon. We wait until Monday because it’s a fresh start, like a mini New Years resolution to kick off the week. People are far more interested in their own health and well-being on Mondays. In fact, Google searches show a spike in health-related queries on Mondays. It makes sense though. After a long weekend of unhealthy choices, we’re ready for a change. That’s why Mondays are the perfect day to put a stake in the ground and declare a new day. For you. For your health. For the environment.
Why Meatless?
Going meatless even just one day a week has many health perks and environmental benefits. In fact, you aren’t just making yourself healthier, you’re literally saving the planet one meal at a time. You can reduce global warming, protect the oceans, save the rainforest, and live a healthier life simply by doing Meatless Mondays.
5 Benefits of Meatless Monday
May Reduce Your Risk of Diseases.
If you were at risk for developing heart disease, you’d do something to minimize the risk, right? Of course you would. Did you know eating a plant-based diet helps decrease the risk of heart disease? It’s also a great defense against developing diseases like cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Excess consumption of red and processed meat is often linked to a whole host of health concerns in addition to obesity and type 2 diabetes. But eating a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains has incredible health benefits. Try Loma Linda’s Greek Bowl for a healthy, quick meal that’s bursting with flavor and full of protein.
Weight Management
Following a plant-based diet is an easy way to control your appetite and your waistband. Instead of filling your plate with red meat, load up on healthy fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins like chickpeas, quinoa, beans, and broccoli. Or better yet, try Neat’s Southwest Mix in your taco salad. Who knows? Maybe Meatless Mondays will inspire a new recipe for Taco Tuesday.
Improved Nutrition
You know your diet is important. It’s literally how your body gets all the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive. So is your body thriving? Or is it hanging on by a thread soaked in fried meat like chicken and pepperoni grease?
Eating plant-based foods, like Loma Linda’s Lemon Pepper TUNO, often means you’re consuming fewer calories from fat. It means you’re filling up with nutrient-rich foods that give your body all of the vitamins and minerals it needs, so you can live your best life.
Save Money
Did you know meatless meals often cost far less than meat-filled ones? And buying in-season fruits and veggies means you’ll save even more. These healthy choices add up, saving you about $40 per month by committing to Meatless Monday.
Here’s an extra bonus: a healthier life costs less. It means fewer bills from the doctor. Less money spent on medicines. And less cash thrown at convenience store snacks. Your bank account will thank you for buying less meat.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
It’s no secret that the environment needs us to step up. We’re in crisis mode. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise from meat production, and climate change is accelerating. One of the top ways to reduce your carbon footprint is simply by eating less meat. You don’t have to cut it out completely to make an impact. Just one day a week of meatless meals makes a difference.
One thing is for certain. We cannot afford to continue down the path we’re on. It’s game time. Grab a friend. Join the Meatless Monday movement. And let’s change the world together. One Monday at a time.
For inspiration, check out our delicious, plant-based recipes.
Written by Aftan Hoffer
I’m a self-proclaimed flexitarian, living in Lancaster, PA with my vegetarian husband and our two picky, omnivore toddlers. We’re also a foster family, so the number of chairs around our dinner table can change from time to time. Meals at our house involve a variety of foods, so everyone has at least one thing they’re excited to eat. No one wants a battle at mealtime.
