Go Meatless at Least 1 Day a Week!

Meat consumption in the US may not be the highest but it ranks up there with Australia and the UK For both human health and the environment, we could really benefit by seeing these numbers go down. As of 2005, the average comsumption of meat in the US was about 1/2 pound per day. This quantity of meat accounts for the entire protein need for the average individual and perhaps a bit more. When you take into account the other sources of protein in the diet, many individuals may be consuming significantly larger amounts of this macronutrient than they need. Why is this a big deal? Because high meat consumption is associated with increased risk of heart disease, obesity and some forms of cancer. In addition, our environment takes a huge hit in relation to energy consumption and pollution related to the production of animal products.

So what would be a good approach? Making a pledge to avoid eating dairy and meat products at least 1 day each week. The Environmental Working Group has collected some rather compelling data on the reasons we should all aim for this goal as well as some great tips to help you to this end. Consuming meat can make the shopping bill more expensive especially if you choose organic so this decision to cut back can be helpful on the pocket book. And eating conventionally raised animal products means that you are ingesting copius amounts of anti-biotics, hormones and pesticides that add even further to the health risks of high animal consumption. The statistics on how meat production equates to energy usage is staggering. If a family of 4 skipped meat and cheese for 1 day a week it would be the equivalent of taking a car off the road for 5 weeks out of the year. And when you add the health benefits of moderating meat consumption it seems inarguable to do it any other way. Follow the link above to find tips on how you can make it happen for your health and the health of the environment in which we live.