The World Meat Free Week is back again this year, an initiative that aims to highlight the importance of reducing meat consumption for the good of the planet, encouraging people to give up this food at least for a week.
It started on June 15th and will end on June 21st the third edition of the World Meatless Week that invites everyone to eat vegetarian, rediscovering excellent recipes in which no animal has been exploited and more "light" in terms of environmental impact. Not to be confused with the World Meat Free Day which has the same goal but for a single day.
As stated on the initiative's Facebook page, the latest research estimates that the global population will reach 9,1 billion by 2050 and, given the increase in meat consumption, if we continue in this way, an additional 200 million will be needed. tons of meat per year.
A production from environmental costs (as well as ethical given the exploitation of animals) really unsustainable: Meat production is already responsible for 14,5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (higher than all emissions from the transport sector combined). Furthermore, the livestock sector uses 30% of the entire earth's surface and 80% of the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is attributed precisely to the production of beef.
The solution is within everyone's reach, even those who don't want to totally give up meat. Reducing consumption is possible and that's what World Meat Free Week proposes, thanks to the switch to meatless meals, at least during this week.
One way for favor a change that should also go beyond 21 June and that would help the health of our planet.
The Meatless Week was organized for the first time in 2018 under the auspices of various international associations in support of vegan nutrition and animal protection. These include Peta, Animal Equality and the international food awareness organization ProVeg.
This week's goal is also to deliver sufficient information and tools for anyone to switch to a diet without animal products. In Spain, the ProVeg association launched the challenge through a website dedicated to the initiative. Simply sign up to receive two weekly menus, one without dietary restrictions and the other without soy or gluten, with four daily vegan meals and their corresponding recipes.
Here is an example of a weekly menu.
© Proveg
In the following articles you will find many ideas for your vegetarian or vegan dishes:
Vegetarian recipes: 15 easy dishes from appetizer to dessert
Vegetarian recipes: 15 quick recipes to prepare
Easy vegan recipes for all tastes
Tips for reducing or eliminating meat consumption
Cristina Rodrigo, of ProVeg Spain gives some useful tips for spend this week in the best possible way and, perhaps, make the change stable over time.
- Start with small goals: Gradually introduce dietary changes. Recommended meat consumption is 2-3 servings per week, she explains, if you eat more, your first goal may be to get to that point, and if you're already there, cut it back. Other "small goals" can be to change animal milk for a vegetable one, try to prepare a 100% vegan meal a day and ask for a meatless option at the restaurant.
- Protein: let's dispel the myth that proteins are only obtained by eating meat. If you are not vegan also milk and eggs offer many and, of course, also contain plant foods such as legumes.
The 10 best plant-based sources of protein
- Be forward-looking: learning to plan meals weekly is essential to avoid buying things we don't need or very processed foods.
- Cook: It is much easier to stop eating meat when preparing your own food, the wider the cookbook and the range of ingredients you can cook, the easier it will be to stop eating meat. Let's take the example of legumes: we are used to consuming them in creams or soups, but they offer many other possibilities: pate, croquettes, meatballs and more.
- Vegetarian food is not always the same as healthy food: stopping meat eating does not guarantee a healthy diet. In fact, in supermarkets there are many vegan or vegetarian ultra-processed products and, as in the case of ultra-processed meat products, it is advisable to avoid them.
- Connect with people: avoiding animal products is more difficult when everyone around you consumes them. It can therefore help to know and have the support of people who are trying to reduce or eliminate products of animal origin altogether or who have already done so.
- Discover the meat industry: being aware of the whole process by which meat is made can help us understand the importance of taking action.
Happy "meet free" week to all!
World Meat Free Week / Facebook / Week without meat / Verne El Paìs
Read also:
“World meat free day”: vegetarians for a day in support of the Planet
