Let’s face it, many of us have considered going vegetarian before. However, it is not an easy goal if you are used to eating meat all the time! So, here we are going to tackle eating less meat. This is a goal worth tackling because there are so many amazing benefits of eating less meat! And there are so many options now for delicious and healthy meat replacements, like the yummy vegetarian burgers shown in the picture above! Keep reading to learn about why you should try eating less meat.
1. Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
According to this article by Medical News Today, eliminating meat from your diet decreases your risk of death from heart disease by a whopping 40%. Forty percent!!! That is a huge number, and it is definitely one worth convincing you to plan at least a few meatless meals.
2. Reduced Risk of Cancer
This one is directed towards red meats and processed meats, specifically. Chemical compounds in red meats and processed meats have been shown to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. In fact, this article by Mayo Clinic states that eating processed meat daily can increase risk of colorectal polyps by 29%. Even if you don’t see yourself having meatless meals, eating less red meat can make a pretty big difference in itself.
3. Higher Fiber Intake = Happier Gut
If you, like me, tend to have upset stomachs often, this is one you should really consider! People who eat less meat have to fill their stomachs up somehow, and their plates are often filled with hearty foods from the ground. These foods are full of fiber, and fiber helps to regulate your bowels and maintain a healthy weight. While eating less meat may not directly affect your fiber intake, there is a correlation. Eating less meat with a healthy focus pushes better foods onto your plate instead, and this is beneficial to a healthy gut.
4. Sustainability Factor
The days of not caring about the environment are long gone! We now realize that the environment is in dire need of repair, and we cannot continue with our previously careless ways. The good news: not only is eating less meat beneficial to your health, but it is beneficial to the environment too! It is a win-win. According to BBC, livestock makes up over 14% of manmade greenhouse emissions including methane (hint: methane is a very bad one). In more detail, beef produces the highest percentage of emissions. If you need further convincing on point #2 about the impact of red meat on your health, here it is!
Eating less meat can benefit both your health and our planet that we love. If you are a meat lover, try adding Meatless Monday dinners into your weekly schedule for a feasible effort! Even changing one meal a week to be meatless can help you realize that you do not need meat in every meal as much as you may think.