There are a lot of people who, even if they see the benefits of going vegan, simply are not going to live a meatless lifestyle. If you can’t be without your bacon, then there’s no shade for you. However, there are big benefits to taking even one day a week to go meatless in your household. Here are some reasons why that might be a good idea and how to make it a little easier.
It cuts down on processed foods
One of the unhealthiest and most widespread eating habits is the reliance on processed foods. The closer we get to a whole foods diet, the better. The additives and preservatives in processed foods can be legitimately dangerous to your health, including increasing the risk of cancer.
It stops you from wasting food
A well-organized pantry is something we should all try to keep in our home. Aside from making food prep easier, if you make sure that you use everything that you have, you prevent household waste from building up. Most food waste is the fruits and veg we don’t get around to eating during the week. Having a meatless day means you have more of an opportunity to use up all the stuff that would spoil otherwise.
You can boost the nutritional value of your meals
Meat does have some essential nutrients, including easy ways of eating protein, iron, and amino acids. However, without it, we can also make sure that we’re getting more nutrients, minerals, and fiber in the food that we eat. This broccoli cauliflower salad recipe at thesaltedpepper.com is a prime example of a meal that both nutritionally dense, thanks to all of the cruciferous greens, yet also relatively low in calories. Even if you don’t go entirely vegan, most of us can agree we need more greens in our diet.
We eat too much red meat for our heart
It’s not just about eating more of what’s good for us, either. It’s also about cutting on our meat consumption because eating meat every day is not good for you. As Healthline.com shows, foods with animal fats contribute in no small way to cardiovascular diseases, reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health conditions. The meat-based diet does have big risks and most people eat too much meat for the good of their heart.
It’s good for the environment
We are not the only ones who benefit from cutting down our fuel consumption. The mass production and consumption of meat is one of the biggest causes of climate change, due to both the greenhouse gasses produced by animal farms and the sheer amount of fossil fuels used to transport meat from one place to the next. You might not feel like you’re likely to make much of an impact in this alone, but you’re not alone, as more and more people are reducing their meat intake with the environment in mind.
Ethically, environmentally, and in terms of our own health, there are plenty of good reasons to cut down on the meat that we eat. One day a week is achievable for anyone.
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