MeatLess Monday.

I am not a vegetarian, but when I heard about “Meat Less Monday,” I was intrigued. I had never thought about the environmental impact of raising livestock. Below are the facts to get us off to a good start.

A quick taste of Meatless Monday

WHAT IS MEATLESS MONDAY?

An international movement to help people reduce their meat consumption by 15% to improve personal health and the health of the planet. We are a non-profit initiative of The Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

WHY MEATLESS?

On average, Americans consume 8 ounces of meat per day – 45% more than the USDA recommends. Going meatless once a week can reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help limit your carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel.

WHY MONDAY?

Multiple studies have shown that periodic health prompts lead to positive behavior change. Monday is the beginning of the week, making it the perfect time to reevaluate our choices and set our intentions for the coming days. With a Meatless Monday, you have a scheduled, recurring reminder to start your week off on a nutritious note. And if this Monday passes you by, next week is another opportunity to focus on health!

Key Benefits of  Meatless Monday

** FOR YOUR HEALTH **

-REDUCE HEART DISEASE

Beans, peas, nuts and seeds contain little to no saturated fats. Reducing saturated fats can help keep your cholesterol low, and cut risk of cardiovascular disease.

-LIMIT CANCER RISK

Hundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables can reduce cancer risk. Red meat consumption is associated with colon cancer.

-FIGHT DIABETES

Research suggests that plant-based diets– particularly those low in processed meat – can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

-CURB OBESITY

People on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A plant-based diet is a great source of fiber (absent in animal products). This makes you feel full with fewer calories, ie. lower calorie intake and less overeating.

-LIVE LONGER

Red and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.

-IMPROVE YOUR DIET

Consuming beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.

** FOR YOUR WALLET **

-CUT WEEKLY BUDGET

Food prices continue to rise. Current increases are especially sharp in packaged items and meat, which require extra expenses like feed and transportation. Forgoing meat once a week is a great way to cut the weekly budget.

-CURB HEALTHCARE SPENDING

Treatment of chronic preventable diseases accounts for 70% of total U.S. healthcare spending. By reducing our risk for these conditions, we can curtail healthcare spending nationwide.

** FOR OUR PLANET **

-REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT

The UN estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change.

-MINIMIZE WATER USAGE

The water needs of livestock are huge, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef.

-REDUCE FUEL DEPENDENCE

On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. (compared to 2.2 calories of fossil fuel for plant-based protein).

 

 

 

JOIN IN!

Visit meatlessmonday.com and then tell your friends, family, co-workers and community leaders how they can improve their health and the health of the planet by cutting meat one Monday at a time!

source: meatlessmonday.com