Background of Meatless Monday
For 15 years, there has been a public health marketing effort underway called Meatless Monday. The big goal is to promote one day per week of eating plant-based foods which cuts down on saturated fat intake for better health. If you are not familiar then here are a few fun facts:
- Begun in 2003 by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health – read more here
- Underway in 44 countries globally – see which countries participate here
- Many free resources are available – including this one for K-12 cafeterias
7 Easy Ideas for Meatless Monday Meals
Just about anything that grows on a plant counts for Meatless Monday, so this means there are tons of options. Here are 7 ideas that will get you going.
- Veggie Plate with any 3 cooked vegetables you like. Above, there is spaghetti squash with cherry tomatoes, asparagus and sauteed kale with garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
- Whole Wheat Burrito with Black Beans, Salsa, Shredded Lettuce and Shredded Cheese, plus Cut up Watermelon or Cantaloupe
- Bean and Mushroom Chili plus Baked Tortilla Chips and Cut up Mango or Pineapple *Simply replace the meat with sliced mushrooms for a meaty texture from a plant
- Veggie Pizza with tomatoes, Bell peppers, olives, and onions, plus a Salad and Sliced Apples
- Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce, plus Steamed Broccoli, and a Salad
- Banana Pancakes plus Scrambled Egg and a Mixed Fruit Salad
- Healthier Grilled Cheese Sandwich plus Vegetable Soup and a Banana
A Plan for Meatless Monday
When you decide to put Meatless Monday into motion for yourself and those you love, it’s not difficult. Here are 3 options that work:
- Pick out a meal from the 7 Ideas above and prepare it on a Monday
- Pick out another meal from the 7 Ideas above and prepare it on a different Monday
- Pick out a favorite plant-based recipe of yours and prepare it on a Monday along with tasty sides
Embracing Meatless Monday is a very smart idea for a delicious meal and for taking care of your health. When you celebrate Meatless Monday every week, chances are that you’ll begin feeling better, trimming down your waistline, achieving other personal health goals, and saving money — DYK meat is the most expensive thing in your grocery cart? My Mediterranean Menus are a great resource that are in line with eating more plants and they are free.
What will you make on the next Meatless Monday?
One of the biggest advantages seems to be that the day helps people to try new things. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and focus on the same foods over and over again.
I agree with you, Vince. With such busy days, we all get into that meal rut. So, going meatless can definitely get some new ideas flowing. Thanks for your comment.