It's time to try meatless meals (2024)

Meatless meals: The benefits of eating less meat

Plant-based proteins offer many health benefits and can be less expensive than meat. One way to get these benefits is to choose a meatless meal once or twice a week.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

People decide to eat less meat for many reasons. You may want to cut out meat for health, ethical, religious, cultural or environmental reasons. But it can be hard to make changes to your diet and still serve healthy meals.

Why not start by serving meatless meals once or twice a week?

Meatless meals are built around beans, lentils, vegetables and whole grains. Plant-based proteins offer many health benefits. Eating more plant-based proteins can help your budget too. They tend to be less pricy than meat.

The health factor

A plant-based diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, peas, lentils and nuts. It's rich in fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. And people who don't eat meat, called vegetarians, generally eat fewer calories and less fat. They also tend to weigh less. And they have a lower risk of heart disease than nonvegetarians do.

Research shows that people who eat red meat are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Processed meats also make the risk of death from these diseases go up.

And what you don't eat also can harm your health. Diets low in nuts, seeds, seafood, fruits and vegetables can also make your health risks go up. The good news is that even eating less red and processed meat has a positive effect on health.

How much protein do you need?

Most Americans get enough protein in their diets. The recommended daily intake of protein for adults is about 50 grams.

Of course, your protein needs will vary with age, weight, health, pregnancy, activity level and other factors. Adults need about 5 to 7 ounces of protein-rich foods a day. And keep in mind, you can choose from more than one protein source.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends choosing a variety of proteins. These include eggs, low-fat milk and products made from it, beans, peas, lentils, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.

If you're eating a higher calorie protein source, stick to smaller portions. For example, enjoy just 1/2 ounce of nuts, or 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter.

The guidelines also suggest replacing protein foods that are higher in solid fats with choices that are lower in solid fats and calories. The fats in meat, poultry, eggs and high-fat dairy products such as cheese are called solid fats. The fats in seafood, nuts and seeds are called oils.

Try meatless meals once or twice a week

You don't have to get rid of all meat all at once. Instead, try easing into meatless meals. Think about going meatless one day a week. You may find you'll want to add more days.

If you don't like the idea of a whole day without meat, start with a couple of meatless dinners each week. Plan meals that use your favorite recipes that are typically meatless, such as lasagna, soup, pasta and vegetable salad. Or try substituting the following protein-rich foods for meat in your favorite recipes:

  • Beans, peas and lentils can be added to casseroles, soups and salads.
  • Vegetarian refried beans can be used instead of meat in burritos and tacos.
  • Tofu can be added tostir-fry dishes.

When meat is on the menu

When your meals include meat, don't overeat. Choose lean cuts and stay away from oversized portions. A serving of protein is 3 ounces, about the size of a deck of cards.

An easy guide to balance your meal is to divide your plate. Proteins should take up no more than one-fourth of your plate. Vegetables and fruits should cover half your plate. Whole grains make up the rest.

Flexing for your health

The term "flexitarian" describes someone who eats mostly plant-based foods. But the person occasionally eats meat, poultry and fish.

Plant-forward is a style of eating that includes meat. But meat is not the star of the meal. This kind of healthy eating is key to the Mediterranean diet. It's also key to other cuisines, such as some Asian, Ethiopian, Indian and Middle Eastern diets. These diets limit red meat. And they focus on fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, whole grains and healthy fat. This type of diet has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. Why not work on your flexibility and start enjoying some healthy benefits?

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Dec. 09, 2022

  1. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022.
  2. Going meatless once a week. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/vegetarian-and-special-diets/going-meatless-once-a-week. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022.
  3. Vary your protein routine. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.myplate.gov/tip-sheet/vary-your-protein-routine. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022.
  4. Protein foods. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/protein-foods#mp-container-706352. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022.
  5. Parker HW, et al. Diet quality of vegetarian diets compared with nonvegetarian diets: A systematic review. Nutrition Reviews. 2019; doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuy067.
  6. Craig WJ, et al. The safe and effective use of plant-based diets with guidelines for health professionals. Nutrients. 2021; doi:3390/nu13114144.
  7. Picking healthy proteins. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/meat-poultry-and-fish-picking-healthy-proteins. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022.
  8. How does plant-forward (plant-based) eating benefit your health? American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/how-does-plant-forward-eating-benefit-your-health. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022.
  9. The benefits of beans and legumes. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/the-benefits-of-beans-and-legumes. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022.
  10. What is the Mediterranean diet? American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/mediterranean-diet. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022.
  11. Thrifty food plan, 2021. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/usda-food-plans-cost-food-reports. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022.
  12. Dietary Reference Intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. https://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309085373. Accessed Nov. 3, 2022.
  13. Zeratsky KA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 3, 2022.

See more In-depth

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See also

  1. Food safety
  2. Foodborne illness
  3. Guide to herbs and spices
  4. Healthy meals start with planning
  5. Moldy cheese
  6. Safely reheat leftovers
  7. Whole grains

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It's time to try meatless meals (2024)

FAQs

What were the meatless Mondays in ww1? ›

National meatless (and wheatless) days were in- troduced in 1917 to conserve rations for troops fighting overseas in World War I and, later, World War II. But the impacts of these initiatives went far beyond rationing to mobilize communities, expand education and promote public health.

What is the point of meatless Monday? ›

Meatless Monday is a movement that encourages eliminating meat one day a week and eventually shifting towards more plant-based foods. The campaign was started in 2003 by Sid Lerner, who found that Monday is the day people are most open to making positive changes.

Why does Monday work best as a day to try to convince people to give up meat? ›

Research suggests that people are more open to trying healthy behaviors at the start of the week. Monday offers an opportunity to “reset” and get back on track after any lapses over the weekend and studies show people that get back on track at the beginning of the week are better able to maintain progress over time.

How does the meatless Monday movement demonstrate the power of ideas and how they can spread? ›

The campaign spreads the meatless message by presenting on the health and environmental benefits of going meatless. Currently they have one school on board, and are looking to expand the reach to more students. The campaign collaborates with bloggers who promote plant-based eating to support the movement.

Who started Meatless Day? ›

International Meatless Day, also called the 'International Vegetarian Day', 25 November, birthday of Sadhu T.L. Vaswani, who was an Indian educationist who started the Mira development for improving Indian instructional framework, beginning with settling St. Mira's School in Hyderabad, Sindh.

Who started Meatless Monday? ›

The Meatless Monday campaign was founded by the advertising creative director and public health advocate Sid Lerner (17). The Center for a Livable Future of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provided scientific and technical expertise to the campaign.

Does Meatless Monday mean no fish? ›

The only foundational requirement of Meatless Monday involves avoiding meat (pork, chicken, beef, seafood) one day a week. People choose to practice Meatless Monday as vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. It's an easy way to become more familiar with plant-based foods and kick-start a healthy eating habit.

What day is no meat? ›

Catholics abstain from flesh meat on days of penance, such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays of Lent. Abstinence is one of the oldest Christian traditions.

Are meatless days healthy? ›

And because meat is a calorie-dense food, participating in Meatless Mondays makes it easier to lose or manage weight, greatly improving your overall health. Additionally, eating more fruits and vegetables means you get vitamins, minerals, and fiber that you won't find in meat.

Why is Monday considered a bad day? ›

You've lost a sense of freedom.

“The most common reason people find Mondays so difficult is that it follows two days of freedom and enjoyment,” Hafeez said. “Even if weekends are still a busy time, there are plenty of moments (e.g. waking up later, going out for lunch) to relax.

Why is Monday the hardest day of the week? ›

Mondays are linked to increases in stress, suicides, and even heart attacks. The stress and health risks observed on Mondays are mostly explained by weekend changes in our sleep cycles. Disrupted sleep cycles cause hormone changes that result in fatigue, stress, and impaired organ function.

How many people do Meatless Mondays? ›

Meatless Monday is one of the most well-known meat reduction campaigns, primarily driven by social media and word-of-mouth. 38 percent of respondents were aware of MM in 2021. 20 percent of all respondents say they participated in Meatless Monday.

Why is meatless Monday bad? ›

The poultry, cattle and pigs that are responsible for these emissions will still be around producing them, even if we instate Meatless Mondays. If America's consumers stop consuming red meat and dairy, the livestock won't go away. We'll export the products to other countries that need the nutrition.

What is the slogan for meatless Monday? ›

Meatless Monday's simple message to “skip meat once a week” works because it provides a regular cue to take action on Monday, which research shows is the day people are most open to making positive changes.

What are the rules for meatless Monday? ›

To start, the guidelines say that less than 7% of your daily calories should come from saturated fat and 300 mg or less from cholesterol. To stick to that, you wouldn't want red meat, pork, chicken, turkey and any high-fat dairy (whole milk or cheese) on your Monday menu. Limit eggs to 1 per day.

What were the heatless Mondays in ww1? ›

January 1918. Many World War I researchers have read about “Meatless Mondays” in the United States–an effort to conserve on meat and other commodities in order to be able to ship more food to Europe. A little known conservation of fuel was enacted on 16 January 1918 and dubbed “Heatless Mondays.”

What was meatless Tuesday and wheatless Wednesday? ›

“Meatless Tuesdays” and “Wheatless Wednesdays” were part of the USFA's Hooverization of America's kitchens. By 1918, the administration claimed more than 10 million homes had submitted pledges to use potato flour, molasses, and chicken instead of wheat flour, sugar, or beef in their tried-and-true recipes.

Why were Americans encouraged to participate in Meatless Mondays? ›

The United States Food Administration (USFA) urged families to reduce consumption of key staples to help the war effort and avoid rationing. Conserving food would support U.S. troops as well as feed populations in Europe where food production and distribution had been disrupted by the war.

What were Meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays examples of? ›

Patriotic Labor: America during World War I

Herbert Hoover's colorful campaign to save food was directed primarily at housewives. He suggested catchy traditions such as “Meatless Mondays” and “Wheatless Wednesdays” to encourage those on the home front to be mindful of limiting their food consumption during the war.

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