http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-part-time-vegetarian.html
The Part-Time Vegetarian
One meat-free day a week. That’s all they ask.
And by they, I mean the United Nations, who has issued a call for all citizens of the world to go vegetarian one day a week to curb global warming.
I would think that even the most meat-loving person could manage such a feat, and while I am no tofu revolutionary, someone like me who basically just eats chicken and fish (ooh! I wonder if there’s such a thing as a sushitarian?) and the very occasional hamburger definitely can.
Now I know what you’re thinking: Why not go whole hog, so to speak? Go completely vegetarian. Vegan even. You’re thinking such a small measure as refraining from eating meat just one day a week is a half-hearted attempt at best. What’s the point?
But the average American consumes around 250 pounds of meat annually. Going veggie just once a week will reduce that by 35 pounds of meat. That is not insubstantial. Multiply that by the more than 300 million people living in the United States, and well, you get the idea.
According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, meat production accounts for nearly one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. Most of this can be attributed to animal feeds, and when you consider that it takes 7 pounds of grain to produce just 1 pound of beef it makes perfect sense. There’s also the issue of the methane emitted by cows, 23 times more effective as a global warming agent than carbon dioxide.
For the sake of global warming, I agree that it would be ideal for everyone to stop eating meat altogether. But it’s not always realistic, even for someone as well-meaning as I am, and definitely not for the average American who isn’t totally convinced that global warming is really that big a deal.
So that’s why I think the one meatless day a week idea has legs. I mean, I don’t eat meat for breakfast so that’s no problem. A totally awesome salad for lunch is good for me and the planet, and dinner choices abound–even if you don’t like tofu (which I actually do). Here is a collection of vegan recipes that I think will surprise you in their diversity and some tempting tofu recipes that go beyond the boring.
The great thing about the one-meatless-day-a-week thing is that it forces you to think outside the barn for meal ideas, and I think most people would be pleasantly surprised to find that they don’t even miss the meat. And hey, if one day turns into two and that turns into three–well then, the planet thanks you.
So I am going to do what I can to help this idea catch fire and I urge you to do so too. Start with your family and friends and see how many people you get to join you in going vegetarian one day a week. And if you already are a vegetarian, may I suggest a kinder and gentler approach? A challenge to just try not eating meat once a week might go over a lot better than, for example, a tirade about how carnivores must reform immediately. Just saying.
I do think eventually I will give up my wicked meat-eating ways. But for now, just call me a part-time vegetarian, full-time lover of the planet Earth.
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86 comments
add your comment »Erika A,
"Or people with stomach acid conditions?"
I personally do not know what your health conditions are but as far a stomach acid conditions - before taking that last step and going vegan I use to suffer from IBS as well as acid reflux. Since going vegan I do not have any problems at all.
So for some people it works the opposite of what you said and it actually will help some people to be more healthy.
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In reply to those folks advocating turning vegetarian or vegan completely, I have this little question:
What about people with medical conditions that prevent them from being vegetarian part-time or at all?
Like someone with high potassium? Or someone with multiple allergies and sensitivities? Or people with stomach acid conditions? The list could go on and on. We shouldn't be general and immediately make people feel guilty about what thay eat because we don't know their whole story.
The world will never be vegan because not every body can handle it. We should at least say, if you can go veg, do it! Or at least something like this to meet halfway. Some progress is better than no progress at all.
I speak as a former vegan, current ovo-lacto veg. I went back because of a medical condition. I couldn't be vegan and niether can the rest of my family because of allergies and exisiting conditions. But we are not animal product gluttons. Not everyone that eats meat does it to excess.
I just want to express that there should be more tolerance from both sides and we not forget those that have special needs.
Thank you! This article is on the right track.
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"Part-time vegetarian?" No. You can't be a "part-time vegetarian." You can be somebody who doesn't eat meat at many meals, but that's not "vegetarianism," as you are still eating meat.
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There's no reason to eat meat. Iron can be had from a variety of sources, vitamins being just one. It is a huge wste of the world's resources to feed animals grain when so many people in the world are starving too. The animals are basically tortured in tiny compartments/cages and fed growth hormones, antibiotics, and steroids etc, and this is what you are consuming. Meat is an addiction, but one that is easily ended. 80% of India's population is vegetarian. It is not such a big deal to stop eating animals. Would you eat your pet dog or cat? They are all animals worthy of a life.
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Part-time Vegetarian is like being part-time Human. As A former meat glutton, (as we always had a freezer just for red meat and one for white meat)Now a Vegeterian for 25 years, I can tell you it was the best and most humane decision I ever made. Give it up completly, you can't quit a little at a time. You are a meat addict, and like any addiction, you must quit all at once.
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Growing children ask lots of questions, Wendi. I have been vegan for almost 20 years and have a 5 year old daughter who is vegan as well. I don't force it on her, she just loves it and it makes sense to her. She is also one of the healthiest (and happiest) kids you would ever want to meet. My new book (www.radianthealth-innerwealth.com) has a chapter on vegan nutrition, amongst other things, which explains in a user-friendly way why it is such a natural and healthy choice. I know it is not for everyone, but I love the idea of people trying it out a mere one day a week...thanks so much for the article, Jana!!
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I hate when people say I "only" eat chicken and fish as if thats somehow likened to being vegetarian. It's meat, once living beings full of chemicals and hormones just like cows and pigs.
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Great post, Jana! One day I calculated how many years of veganism it would be equivalent to if everybody in the UK ate JUST ONE vegan meal - I've forgotten the results, but it was a lot. So then I decided to try to feed as many people as possible that one vegan meal. I was surprised and delighted when I was sometimes asked for the recipes - that way other people would spread it! So please, everybody out there, as well as having a day being meat-free yourself, invite a friend to share with you your healthy, environmentally friendly, and quite possibly DELICIOUS dairy and meat-free food! Have fun, deepen friendships, keep healthy and save the animals!
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Come on, do you think back in the day they did not eat meat as they herded their herds! I am not against those who choose that lifestyle, it's just not for me. My best friend is one, I resprect her a lot. I do however think this issue should not be brought in front of a growing child. Let them decide what they want to do when it comes to that.
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Great post Jana! I love your outlook on life and on the many shades of green that are out there. I went pescatarian for two years (still ate fish and seafood) but then I found that I wasn't getting enough iron in my diet. I've now started reintroducing meat on occasion (once or twice a week) but only meat that has been raised free range, grass fed and without hormones. I suggest that as another alternative to those who still like their burgers...try buying from a local, sustainable farmer on occasion. It's better for the planet, the quality of the meat is far superior (you can taste it!) and you'll be supporting a local business.
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