Eating less meat is good for you (and the planet too)

Next Monday (June 13th) is World Meat Free Day. This is a day for raising awareness about the benefits of reducing one's meat intake.

Meat Free Monday is not about giving up meat forever (although you could), but about showing just how easy it is to eat less meat. And there are many benefits to reducing meat intake.

Carbon emissions are reduced. Water consumption is reduced. Fat intake is reduced. Calorie intake is reduced. Eating less meat is good for you, and for the planet.

I would encourage all to visit the Meat Free Monday website.

I quote:

If you give up meat for just one meal, you would save:

·         Enough carbon emissions to boil a kettle 388 times

·         The daily water usage of nine people

·         Up to 11g of fat, equivalent to two whole teaspoons of butter

·         Up to 90 calories, about as much as two rich tea biscuits

No-one could argue with the idea of being personally healthier, and having a healthier planet. I would encourage all to do it for themselves, and they can help the planet too.

Meatless Mondays

There are a number of good reasons why we should be encouraged to reduce our meat intake. This does not mean a full-blown conversion to vegetarianism or veganism, but perhaps having one day a week where meat does not feature in any of our meals.

There are, as I see it, three main reasons why reducing meat consumption is a good thing. Our health, our most precious thing, is the main reason. Studies have shown that a reduced meat intake promotes a healthier life with increased longevity. For instance, heart disease, in many cases,  is linked to the consumption of red meat.

Reducing meat consumption also helps our planet and the environment. Less land is required to produce vegetables than to manage livestock, meaning that precious natural habitats can be preserved. Keeping livestock is also responsible for the production of a significant amount of greenhouse gases.

There is also the issue of animal cruelty. Where possible it is incumbent on humans to treat animals with respect.

Meat Free Monday encourages people to skip meat for one day a week to improve their health and help the planet. I hope to one day see Southend-on-Sea join the likes of Barcelona in promoting the MFM campaign.