Green Daily

In a 2000 National Zogby Poll sponsored by the Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG), three out of four people indicated they included meat, poultry, fish, seafood, dairy products, eggs and honey in their diet. Almost five percent of those polled said they did not eat meat. More people between the age of 18 to 29 said they do not eat meat, poultry or fish, at nearly six percent. People who live on the coast, urban residents, and women who work outside the home were more likely to leave meat out of their diet.

Replacing one traditional meal that includes meat with a meatless meal at least once a week reduces the demands on the environment created by meat production. Grazing requires twice the amount of land that growing crops do, meat production requires more water than growing crops, and factory farms cause water pollution, according to facts presented by the David Suzuki Foundation.

As well, less meat in a diet contributes to better health. Research has shown the healthiest diet is the Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean Diet pyramid recommends eating small amounts of red meat a few times per month. In the current economy, a meatless meal is also going to be kinder on the budget.

To find menu ideas for a meatless meal, visit VegWeb for vegetarian recipes featuring beans & legumes dishes, breads, burritos, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, casseroles, slow cooker recipes, desserts, dinner pies, pot pies, and shepherd pie recipes.