Eating slightly less meat is good for your health and the environment. It’s an excellent way to make sure you are eating plenty of vegetables, and there are plenty of tasty alternatives available.
RED AND PROCESSED MEATS
Overeating red and processed meat can result in health risks. Processed meat is meat that has been salted or smoked, or has gone through a different process to achieve a specific flavor or shelf life (such as schnitzels, hamburgers, sandwich fillings, sausage or pâté). Red meat is that of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. White meat comes from poultry such as chicken and turkey.
HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT
By avoiding meat 1 day per week, you can save about 7% of the share of the greenhouse effect.
2050
The International Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) expects that in Western Europe and the United States, demand for meat will decrease in the coming years because we are becoming more aware of the effects of meat production on the environment. However, that decline does not outweigh the total demand for meat due to emerging countries, (like China) which are going to consume more meat. Until 2050, the need for meat at the world level will double. To continue to feed everyone, scientists are looking for new protein sources that can replace meat, for example, insects.
VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN?
Vegetarian dishes do not contain meat, fish, poultry, and no animal by-products such as gelatine and animal fat. Vegan dishes do not contain any animal products at all as well as no dairy and eggs.
VEGETABLE VS. ANIMAL
There are animal and vegetable protein sources. Most people extract their proteins from animal sources: meat, fish and dairy. Animal protein sources, however, burden the environment more than plant-based protein sources such as grains and legumes.
BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Cattle require a lot of attention, the production of this costs water, land and energy. Livestock also causes manure and greenhouse gases. In addition, transport, processing, storing and packaging meat have an impact on the climate. This environmental aspect also plays a part in recommendations to moderate meat consumption
TOP MEAT SUBSTITUTES
FALAFELS
Falafels are made with chickpeas and can be bought ready-made, but you can also make them yourself.
LEGUMES
Most legumes contain a lot of protein and iron, which makes them good meat substitutes, for example, edamame beans. These young soybeans are delicious in a salad or stir-fry dish; they can also be eaten as a cold snack.
EGGS
Eggs are very versatile and contain iron, vitamin B1 and B12 and are therefore an excellent alternative to meat. They can be eaten at any time of the day, fried for breakfast, boiled for lunch or an omelet for dinner.
NUTS
Nuts are great as a snack, but also very suitable for cooking. Walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts contain iron and vitamin B1 and therefore fit well into a low-meat diet. Choose the unsalted version.
LENTILS
Lentils contain a lot of iron, just like meat. They come in all kinds of colors and flavors: dried or canned, white, brown, green, yellow and red. So there is enough choice for everyone.
