You may have noticed the “Meatless Monday” trend on social media that’s rapidly gaining more and more popularity every day. You may have even tried it out as part of a new weight loss routine or to fulfill a New Year’s resolution. I practice a “Totally Raw Tuesday” where I only eat raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and my family goes meatless on Friday nights.
Both of these options are easy ways to practice eating a healthier diet, but there are many more advantages to going meat-free… even for just one or two days a week.
Choosing plant-based meals over meals that include meat is great for your overall health. Reputable studies have shown that this practice greatly reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, limits the risk of many types of cancer, reduces the onset of type 2 diabetes, and helps curb obesity.
Evidence also suggests that making the switch to a more heavily plant-based diet could even help you to live longer.
But what about the other benefits of choosing a meat-free option?
When you make the switch to plant-based foods, it’s not only good for your health; it’s good for your bank account and the environment, too.
Save Money by Going Meat-Free
Healthcare expenditures in the United States go up every year, and all those costs aren’t just going to treat serious illness and hospital bills.
Think about the money that your family spends on doctor visits for minor illnesses or over-the-counter treatments. Now imagine how much money you could save by choosing to replace meat with healthier, less costly options like fruits, vegetables, and plant proteins like GardeinTM, beans, and peas.
Meat is also one of the most expensive items in the supermarket. Creating family meals that are plant-based can cut your grocery bill significantly, leaving money for fun stuff like outdoor family adventures… or new yoga pants.
Baby Annabel can’t wait to grow some teeth…
Save the Environment by Going Meat-Free
It takes almost 2000 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef. In contrast, only about 50 gallons of water are needed to produce a plant-based meal.
Livestock production is responsible for nearly 20% of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. That’s more than cars and all other modes of transportation put together. Livestock also produces more than 60% of ammonia emissions, which is one of the main causes of acid rain.
We are also witnessing massive deforestation worldwide where rainforests are being cleared for grazing and pastures are being turned into barren deserts.
Pollution from livestock that washes into the oceans consistently kills coral reefs and threatens other sea-life.
The environmental damage being caused to our air, land, and sea by raising livestock is staggering, but it’s easy to make a difference.
As individuals, we can reduce our impact by finding better options for meat in our diets.
Shopping for veggies with the kids at our local CSA Farm
You Don’t Have to Go Vegan to Make a Difference
I’ve found three easy ways to make a difference in my budget and in my family’s carbon footprint (and the kids don’t mind a bit).
- Make my treats dairy-free. Instead of adding milk or yogurt to my smoothies or indulging in ice cream for dessert, I use bananas and fresh fruit. Bananas make my smoothies super sweet and creamy, and when frozen, they can be thrown into a food processor with my favorite fruit for a delicious “ice cream” treat.
- Swap out meat with healthier options. My kids’ new favorite meals include picks from the gardeinTM (garden + protein) line of deliciously meat-free and convenient meals. Gardein products are made with a sustainable plant protein that provides the taste, texture, and nutrition of meat but with less fat, less calories, and zero cholesterol. They’re healthier versions of the foods your family already loves, and they’re gentle on the planet, too. Find out way to incorporate meat-free options into your family’s meals by clicking here. Claim your coupon for $1 off a gardein product of your choice.
- Pick one day a week to go completely meat and dairy-free…
- Eating one less hamburger a week is like taking your car off the road for 320 miles or line-drying your clothes half the time.
- A four-person family that skips meat and dairy once a week saves enough water that it would equal reducing each person’s daily shower by 3 minutes.
- If everyone in the U.S. did not eat meat or cheese for just one day a week, it would be like not driving 91 billion miles – or taking 7.6 million cars off the road. (source: ewg.org/meateatersguide)
You don’t have to go vegetarian or vegan to make a huge difference in your health or to help the environment. Those numbers you just read are staggering examples of how tiny changes bring giant results. It only takes a small shift in your everyday diet to put you and your family on a better, faster path to true health… for your bodies and the planet.
For more information on gardein and their line of deliciously meat-free meal options, find them on social media (and tell them I said “hello!”):
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DISCLAIMER: This post/video is designed for educational and/or informational purposes only and should not be used in any other manner. This information is not intended to substitute informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider. A consultation with your health care professional is the proper method to address your health concerns. You are encouraged to consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Gardein . The opinions and text are all mine.