Yes, we have talked about going meatless before but we feel it’s a message that bears repeating.  A more plant-based menu is slowly beginning to phase out meals centered on a big hunk of meat.  Once only associated with celebrities & avid animal rights groups, going meatless has gone more mainstream.   Several things may be driving the growing acceptance of a more plant-based diet:

• Understanding – instead of an “all or nothing” philosophy small changes are encouraged, i.e. to add a meatless meal once a week.  Encouragement is replacing bullying & criticism.  Even the most avid meat-lovers will feel good about eating a plant-based meal once a week.
• Diversity – having a greater variety of culturally diverse vegetarian-based foods has made what used to available – restaurants, neighborhood markets, bodegas and even big supermarket chains.
• Ecology – by eating a more plant-based diet we will leave a smaller carbon footprint.  Good stewardship of the planet now can insure an environment that will be able to support future generations.  It is suggested that by exchanging one meal with meat for a meatless meal each week can have the same environmental benefit as removing 500,000 cars from the road.
• Economy – plant foods cost less than meat products and their higher fiber content may result in eating less.  Plant-based foods can help stretch our food dollars and this is really important as the cost of food continues to climb consuming a greater percentage of our household budget.
• Health – eating more of a plant-based diet has been linked with a reduction in the risk of heart disease, many cancers and obesity.  With an aging population, healthcare costs climbing, and health insurance covering less it’s even more important to maintaining good health or improving health.

Even though plant-based meals are gaining in popularity, we need to continue reducing the amount of meat we consume if we are to fully appreciate the health, economical & environmental benefits associated with a plant-based diet.  Since Americans consume more meat than any other country in the world we have our work cut out for us.If you need any help with a meatless meal plan let the dietitians at Sound Bites Nutrition help.  In the mean time, check out this month’s Mediterranean Pasta recipe & browse through past meatless recipes at Nutritious Nibbles