Better for You, Better for the Planet

There’s no shortage of evidence that producing meat for human consumption is more damaging to the environment than other food sources. It’s also not particularly good for your health. For example, this recent study from the journal Science puts the two together, stating that “the consumption of different types of meat and meat products has substantial effects on people’s health, and livestock production can have major negative effects on the environment.” Specifically, the researchers note, “Meat production is the single most important source of methane” (a potent greenhouse gas, worse than carbon dioxide) and a third of the water used for agriculture is required for livestock.

If that’s enough to spoil your appetite, here’s the good news: It’s never been easier to find satisfying meals that don’t include meat, even if you are a meat-and-potatoes eater! Whether your environmental concerns cause you to want to cut back on meat or cut it out altogether, here are some ways to get started:

1.     Check out the new breed of plant-based meat substitutes that might actually fool your taste buds. 

The Beyond Burger is now available at the Sugar Beet Co-op and several local grocery stores as well as some restaurants, including Epic Burger. The Impossible Burger can be enjoyed at Bar Louie and White Castle locations as well as Lavergne’s Tavern in Berwyn. 

2.     Explore ethnic cuisines that minimize meat. Indian and Ethiopian restaurants offer a plethora of delicious, nutritious and satisfying vegetarian dishes. Try South Indian restaurants like Mysore Woodlands, or the phenomenal Ethiopian Diamond. 

Injera is the Ethiopian flatbread that serves as both plate and fork

3.     Try using meat as a condiment and not the main course. Fajitas, stir-fries and other dishes that call for less meat can help you cut back on your meat consumption, whether you’re eating out or cooking at home.

4.     If you’re comfortable in the kitchen, try cooking more vegetarian meals. Several cookbooks and loads of websites aim to help you do just that. For inspiration check out Kristie Middleton’s Meatless: Transform the Way you Eat and Live, One Meal at a Time, and Brian Kateman’s The Reducetarian Solution: How the Surprisingly Simple Act of Reducing the Amount of Meat in Your Diet Can Transform Your Health and the Planet. You can find recipes just about everywhere, but I’m a fan of every cookbook ever written by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. She posts a lot of them online for free, too!

Western Front Indivisible would love to hear what you think, and your recommendations for others seeking to cut back on their meat consumption. Post those in the comments, and thanks!

Posted by Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin