Beyond meatless Mondays
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EmailThe everyday benefits of veggie-centered eating.
You have probably heard the term “Meatless Monday” which makes you picture the latest veggie meal fad, such as cauliflower burgers. While a veggie centered dietary approach might not sound tantalizing to your taste buds at first, it simply means building meals around vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains rather than meat. Once you shift your mindset away from meat-focused meals, it opens the door to a cornucopia of health benefits and cost-saving culinary creativity.
Here’s why more people are piling plant-based foods onto their plates:
- Heart health: Plant-forward diets are linked to lower cholesterol and reduced risk of heart disease.
- Disease prevention: Eating less red and processed meats can reduce risks of type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
- Gut health: Fiber-rich foods like beans and lentils support a healthy gut and aids in digestion.
- Weight management: Plant-based meals are often lower in calories and saturated fats, helping with weight control.
- Money saving: Beans, lentils, and tofu are often less expensive than meat, making plant-based meals budget-friendly.
Pack in the Protein
One common concern about reducing meat is getting enough protein. The good news? Plants deliver plenty. Lentils and beans are also very filling and versatile; peas add creaminess to soups and dips, tofu and tempeh soak up marinades wonderfully, and whole grains like quinoa can be paired with legumes to form complete proteins.
A Flexible Approach
You don’t have to go full vegetarian to see benefits. Shifting even part of your diet toward plant-based proteins can make a meaningful difference. That is the idea behind the Flexitarian Diet: mostly plant-based meals with meat every now and then. It’s a more relaxed approach to eating that keeps things interesting in the kitchen.
Plan Ahead
MSU Extension recommends following food safety practices for plant-based proteins.
Here are a few simple recipe ideas to inspire your next meatless meal.
Veggie-centered meals aren’t just a passing trend; they are a healthy and sustainable way to plan meals and to eat. Whether it’s a black-bean burger on Monday or a hearty lentil soup later in the week, plant-based meals prove that health and flavor can go hand in hand. Try swapping just one meal this week and you might be surprised how easy and delicious it is to embrace plant-based proteins.
