Meatless Monday

How many times would you say that you consume meat in a given week? Every day, three times a week? If you feel as though you may be consuming large amounts of meat you may want to partake in the movement that will be explained further in this article. Here at Syracuse University, there is a campaign similar to Healthy Monday that is called Meatless Monday.

Meatless Monday came about by one of our Syracuse University Alumni, Sid Lerner. One day Sid Lerner was thinking about ways in which he could improve his diet after discussing his health with his doctor. At first, Lerner was going to cut meat all together from his diet but he realized that he would miss meat too much. He later did some calculations and decided that by not consuming any meat once a day out of the week would help him in becoming a healthier individual. After Lerner’s discovery advertisement of Meatless Monday, it is now a campaign that is known across the world.  

One reason why one should try and reduce their meat intake is because it can help in reducing their chances of developing heart disease or cancer. Also, studies have shown that by cutting back on red meats and other processed meats it can help against obesity and diabetes.

But, let me remind you that by cutting meat out of your day will not be as beneficial to your health if you do not find healthy choices to supplement for that meat. On the day that you decide you do not want to consume meat eat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and look up meatless recipes.  

If you think that this might be a movement that you may want be a part of feel free to go to http://www.meatlessmonday.com/ and get more information. Also, Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion which is linked to Syracuse University Maxwell College also promotes Healthy Monday. And here is a link to their website dealing with Healthy Monday which I would highly suggest taking a look at.  http://lernercenter.syr.edu/about/heathy_monday.html 

For those of you who do decide to try Meatless Monday I hope that it goes well.  And always remember to be healthy and be happy!

By: Rachel Johnson and Erin O’Shaughnessy