I love meat. Burgers, steaks, pulled pork… bacon?! Come on now…. But, as a health professional, I also understand the benefits of eating more plants— on human health and the health of the planet. The science is irrefutable. People who eat more plants are healthier, live longer, and it’s better, more sustainable for the planet. But does that mean that you have to become #vegan to realize these benefits or to make a difference in the climate crisis? Completely give up meat? The short answer is, no. Lots of people go plant-based for a variety of different reasons: ethical, environmental, health, etc. And while any and all of those reasons to eat more plants/less meat are commendable… I worry about the all-or-nothing proposition we’ve promoted. Last week, I was listening to a podcast where an climate change expert said that more people doing “Meatless Mondays” would do more to combat climate change than more people becoming vegans. He went on to explain that it’s just not realistic (or probable) to think that millions of people across the globe would go from their current (high) consumption of meat, to NO meat at whatsoever. But what is much more realistic to hope for is that lots of people around the world could commit to doing one day (or one MEAL) per week that was totally plant-based. Small positive changes and steps in the right direction add up quicker than you think. And when our tiny, small steps forward as individuals, are aggregated as a society… that can send shockwaves through a system. Let’s drop the do-or-die, all-or-nothing mentality around food. It’s clearly not serving us. (Or the planet). When you make a behavior so extreme, you’re (1) less likely to start, and (2) you’re less likely to sustain the behavior. Cut yourself some slack and commit to adding in more of the good, and telling yourself that progress matters more than perfection. More matters. Don’t let some egotistical, purist convince you otherwise. So, me? I’m committed to eating more plants, and doing what I can, where I can. For the benefit of my own health, and the health of the planet. What my lunch looks like this week: - greens - rice - roasted cauliflower - roasted carrot - red onion - falafel - avocado - tzatziki - kimchi
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