Try a Weekday Vegetarian Diet: Eat Green Food without Taking the Plunge

Photo credit: adactio via Flickr/Creative CommonsTreeHugger founder Graham Hill helped originate this concept and write this post. Thanks boss!

The Challenge to Going Vegetarian

To most people, meat tastes great. To ask them to go cold turkey (har, har) is a huge ask. The vegetarian movement has focused on pushing a binary decision. A "Either you're with us, or you're against us" approach. A result of this is that meat-eaters either immediately reject the concept or promise themselves that they'll go vegetarian later. And that "later" rarely comes.Photo credit: joshmadison via Flickr/Creative Commons

Meat Ain't What it Used to Be

Over the last fifty-odd years, the meat on our plate has gone from being the garnish to being the main feature. In short, It has switched places with the vegetables. Over the same period, the manner in which we "grow" meat has gotten more and more unsustainable (via factory farming, antibiotic use, more food miles, and overall inefficient use of resources). The result is that the volume of meat and the negative ramifications of it reinforce each other and therefore meat has become a huge issue for us.

Image credit: Like_the_Grand_Canyon via Flickr/Creative Commons

A Proposal: A Weekday Vegetarian Diet

Paul McCartney's recent proclamation that we should all practice "Meat-Free Mondays" is a fine idea, and a fun meme, but it's impact really pales in comparison; weekday vegetarianism has five times the impact, and that can be a big boost to your footprint-cutting endeavors. If you're serious about reducing your footprint, once a week won't get the job done.

WATCH VIDEO: Graham Hill on TED Talks: Why I'm a Weekday Vegetarian

Instead, follow this one simple rule: Save your meat-eating for the weekend.

It's easy to follow.It's non-binary.It's significant (reduces impact by 70%).It's not too restrictive.It'll save you money.It's good for your health.You can start today.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Stockbyte

"But, I need meat to be healthy!"

a) Check out these vegetarian athletes and then re-think that.b) You can still eat some meat on the weekends.c) There is a ton of data to suggest that most meat is actually not good for your health.

"But, I love the taste of meat!"

a) It takes a bit more work as our culinary culture has been built around meat but tasty vegetarian food does exist -- here are seven tasty recipes to get you started. Still skeptical? Check out these tasty meat alternatives.b) You still get to look forward to the weekends.c) By cutting it during the week, you do gain in health, helping the environment out and fattening your wallet.

Considering all this, it can really be a no brainer; here are some links to help get you started.

More on the delights of a vegetarian dietVegetarian Diet Could Cut Climate Change Mitigation Costs by 70%, If Enough Of Us Make the Switch7 Cheap and Easy Vegetarian MealsProven: Vegetarians Live LongerReduce the Meat in Your Diet: Become a Weekday VegetarianVegetable Recipes on Planet Green