I'm baaaack!! Yesterday, a friend asked me if I was still doing my blog. That question inspired me to carve some time out today to put out a new post :-) (Thanks, Jackie!) Now that I am a Certified Nutritionist (woot!) I really feel qualified & informed to give you any & all information on food related topics! That being said, considering it's Monday, you know what that means......
IT'S MEATLESS MONDAY!
While it's meatless for me all the time, the Meatless Monday movement is growing and gaining momentum as celebrities, health experts and restaurateurs are getting in on the idea. It's a great, realistic way to make a huge impact on the earths' resources and cut down your carbon footprint. Starting next week, I'll be posting at least one recipe a week to give you ideas of what to serve on your Meatless Monday!
Meatless Monday is an international campaign that encourages people to not eat meat on Mondays to improve their health and the health of the planet. Meatless Monday was founded in 2003 by marketing professional Sid Lener. Meatless Monday is part of the Healthy Monday initiative. Healthy Monday encourages Americans to make healthier decisions at the start of every week.
Join the Movement
Pledge to go meatless this Monday. Join the growing number of individuals, families and institutions pledging to improve their health and the health of our planet. If you're on board, comment below and let everyone know! Also, put this post and your pledge to join the movement on your Facebook status so that we can get more family & friends on board with this health & earth saving plan!!
Pledge to go meatless this Monday. Join the growing number of individuals, families and institutions pledging to improve their health and the health of our planet. If you're on board, comment below and let everyone know! Also, put this post and your pledge to join the movement on your Facebook status so that we can get more family & friends on board with this health & earth saving plan!!
More information can be found at http://www.meatlessmonday.com
Key Benefits of Meatless Monday:
FOR YOUR HEALTH - REDUCE HEART DISEASE
Beans, peas, nuts and seeds contain little to no saturated fats. Reducing saturated fats can help keep your cholesterol low, and cut risk of cardiovascular disease.
LIMIT CANCER RISKHundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables can reduce cancer risk. Red meat consumption is associated with colon cancer.
FIGHT DIABETESResearch suggests that plant-based diets – particularly those low in processed meat – can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
CURB OBESITYPeople on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A plant-based diet is a great source of fiber (absent in animal products). This makes you feel full with fewer calories, ie. lower calorie intake and less overeating.
LIVE LONGERRed and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.
IMPROVE YOUR DIETConsuming beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.
Beans, peas, nuts and seeds contain little to no saturated fats. Reducing saturated fats can help keep your cholesterol low, and cut risk of cardiovascular disease.
LIMIT CANCER RISKHundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables can reduce cancer risk. Red meat consumption is associated with colon cancer.
FIGHT DIABETESResearch suggests that plant-based diets – particularly those low in processed meat – can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
CURB OBESITYPeople on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A plant-based diet is a great source of fiber (absent in animal products). This makes you feel full with fewer calories, ie. lower calorie intake and less overeating.
LIVE LONGERRed and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.
IMPROVE YOUR DIETConsuming beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.
FOR YOUR WALLET
CUT WEEKLY BUDGET
Food prices continue to rise. Current increases are especially sharp in packaged items and meat, which require extra expenses like feed and transportation. Forgoing meat once a week is a great way to cut the weekly budget.
CURB HEALTHCARE SPENDINGTreatment of chronic preventable diseases accounts for 70% of total U.S. healthcare spending. By reducing our risk for these conditions, we can curtail healthcare spending nationwide.
FOR OUR PLANET
REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT
The UN estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change.
MINIMIZE WATER USAGEThe water needs of livestock are huge, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef.
REDUCE FUEL DEPENDENCEOn average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. (compared to 2.2 calories of fossil fuel for plant-based protein).
MINIMIZE WATER USAGEThe water needs of livestock are huge, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef.
REDUCE FUEL DEPENDENCEOn average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. (compared to 2.2 calories of fossil fuel for plant-based protein).
