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Cutting back on meat consumption seems to be all the rage these days. After all, meat is a pretty inefficient (not to mention expensive) way of getting our daily calories. By cutting out the middle man (or cow) we can get our nutrition directly from plants, rather than waiting for those plants to be processed through an animal, with all of the emissions, pollution and wasted resources that that process entails. Going vegetarian can reduce your carbon footprint by a ton. But you don't have to become a vegan to make a difference.
Becoming "flexitarian"—a person who eats mostly vegetarian can be a great way to cut your carbon footprint without giving up the sins of the flesh entirely. Some folks, like TreeHugger founder Graham Hill, are becoming weekday vegetarians. Others, urged on by Sir Paul McCartney, are simply declaring a meat-free Monday.
But what if you are one of those people for whom a meal is just not a meal without some meat? Fear not. Chances are you can still do a lot to reduce your intake. Let's face it, meat hasn't always been at the center of the meal. Here are a few ideas to get you started on some low meat meals:
How to Eat Less Meat
- Look to the world: As Adam Stein recently pointed out over at TerraPass in his article on Flexitarianism, the idea of meat as the center of the meal is a decidedly American, and a decidedly affluent, phenomenon. From pizza to dumplings to noodles, look around the world for ways that cuisines have tried to make the meat go further.
- Think flavor: Often it's not just the protein we meat-lovers crave, it's the rich, complex flavors. But a little meat can go a long way in the right dish. Recipes like the British Yorkshire Pudding were designed to catch meat drippings and bulk out that flavor with cheaper ingredients like eggs and flour—likewise the classic American biscuits and gravy. (I have a friend from Mississippi who turns her nose up at sausage gravy—gravy is what you made when you couldn't afford sausage.) And if you've never had potatoes roasted in goose fat, or brussel sprouts roasted with bacon, you are in for a treat!
- Use it all: Try not to throw anything away, and look around for cheaper more interesting cuts of meat at your butcher. If you're not too squeamish, try experimenting with offal too—that being liver, kidneys, heart and just about anything else that has been scorned by our white-meat loving world. And don't forget that leftovers can be great for soups, stews, stocks and the like. A Turkey is not just for Christmas—with any luck there will be turkey left over for tomorrow too...
- Provide alternatives: Always make sure your table is stocked up with tasty and interesting vegetable or grain based side dishes—that way everyone can get by with one less slice of turkey/meatball/burger.
And don't forget that not all meats are created equal when it comes to environmental impacts or animal welfare standards. Look for organic, local, sustainably reared animals, and consider eating less beef in favor of poultry and other lower carbon animals.
Related Posts:
What is a Flexitarian?
Paul McCartney Supports Meat-Free Monday
Become a Weekday Vegetarian
How to Eat Green Guide
Salivating over sustainable eats? Learn how to make your own with help from Emeril Lagasse in Planet Green TV's organic cooking show, Emeril Green.
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
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