During World War I, citizens were urged to go “wheatless” and “meatless” one day a week to help aid in the war effort. In 2003 the concept of the Meatless Monday was revived as a health initiative backed by science as a worthwhile effort. You don’t have to be a budding vegetarian to try out Meatless Mondays. There are benefits for your health as well as the environment.
Let’s take a look at those benefits:
• A reduction of red meat consumption can improve heart and kidney health.
• You can get all the protein you need for the day from foods like nuts, beans, soy, and vegetables
• You’ll experience a wider variety of nutrition options.
• Beans, peas, nuts, and seeds contain almost no saturated fats, which can help keep cholesterol low and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Skipping one serving of beef every Monday for a year saves the equivalent emissions of driving 348 miles in a car.
• Livestock requires more water than produce does, so you’ll be conserving water as well. It’s estimated it takes 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef.
• You’ll reduce greenhouse emissions from the production and transportation of livestock.