Page 6 - ROOT-September-October

on the rise:

MEATLESS MONDAY
Meatless Monday started during World War I, but today
it has become one of the most popular ways people try to
eat healthier and help the planet.
Back then, the U.S. government encouraged people
to skip meat one day a week so more could be sent to
soldiers. It was seen as a patriotic act, especially after
the big Sunday meal.
In 2003, activist Sid Lerner helped revive Meatless
Monday as a peaceful movement, promoting personal
and environmental health. Producing and transporting
meat uses a lot of resources and creates pollution. In fact,
nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions come from food
production, and most of that comes from raising livestock.
Eating less meat can reduce your environmental impact.

It can also improve your health. When meat is the star
of meals, it is easy to miss out on important nutrients
like fiber, calcium, and antioxidants. Studies have shown

that adopting a plant-based lifestyle can reduce the risks
associated with cancer and heart disease.
In more than 40 countries, people are opting for hearty
mushrooms, tofu, meat substitutes, starchy vegetables
like eggplant and potatoes, and protein-packed beans or
legumes as a substitute for meat one day a week. Entire
school districts even observe this event.

Since there is no o cial organization managing Meatless
Monday, you can observe it in whatever way you prefer.
Some people use the occasion as a trial of a vegetarian

lifestyle, while others use it as a kicko to it. Of course,
some diners opt for a meatless diet sporadically whenever
they feel like switching up their eating habits or want to
make a tangible contribution to help the environment.
Meatless Monday makes “cents.” Pound for pound,
meat costs more than common alternatives, such as
beans and potatoes. So, skipping a hamburger will save
you some serious bread.
Whether it is Monday or any other day, give a plant-
based meal a try. Your body, your budget, and the
planet will thank you.
Source:
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/on-its-20th-anniversary-meatless-
monday-is-more-relevant-than-ever
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/
fnut.2024.1283239/full
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250318/Healthy-plant-
Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-to-put-in-oatmeal#for-fl avor based-diets-linked-to-longer-life-for-people-with-cardiometabolic-
disorders.aspx