Why you should be doing Meat-Free May

We can all benefit from less animal protein in our diets – here’s why you should be doing Meat-Free May.

I’ve been vegetarian since I was 13. It started with a refusal to eat lamb, based on my love for the cute little woolly creatures bouncing around in the field at the back of our school. They looked so carefree and happy, it seemed unnatural to want something so innocently adorable served up on a plate alongside potatoes and veg. It was a snap decision, but I was strong willed. So that was it, no lamb.

Over the years, I’ve eliminated all meat from my diet. I can honestly say I love my plant-powered whole foods and I never feel deprived. Meat-Free May is a campaign that challenges us to give up meat and fish for all of May, while raising money for Friends of the Earth. Find out more about it here. But why would giving up meat benefit us?

A meaty issue

Meat is acid-forming in the body, with red meat highest on the scale. On average we include meat in mealtimes at least twice a day without even thinking about it. That’s a huge amount of acidic, animal protein for the body to break down. Aside from welfare concerns, the amount of meat and fish we consume is damaging our planet.

Friends of the Earth facts

• Livestock production makes up 14.5% of total global greenhouse gas emissions and is one of the causes of deforestation and climate change.

• Our taste for fish had been stripping the seas; over 70% of the world’s fish stocks are over or fully exploited.

• Our health is suffering: a shift to lower-meat diets in the UK could prevent 45,000 early deaths each year and save the NHS over £1.2 billion per year.

Power plants

I’m not a huge fan of meat substitutes; I prefer instead to focus on natural protein sources and healthy fats derived from whole foods. But if you’re a big meat eater, cutting it from your diet without having something obvious to replace it with can feel a little daunting. Where do you begin? How do you get the right balance of nutrients from a plant-based diet? Rest assured, by focusing on a meat-free, whole-food lifestyle, you’ll be eating in a way that people have thrived on for thousands of years.

The impression of vegans as pale, emaciated and vitamin-deficient is an outdated one. There are so many plant-powered athletes who are not only healthy but look amazing and continue to build muscle. I believe that the right combination of plants, nuts and seeds can provide all the nutrients we need to enjoy healthy and balanced living.

The idea of eating a particular food for one specific nutrient is inherent in our culture. We have been led to believe we should eat meat for protein, dairy for calcium and fish for omega-3. This sort of thinking is misguided and is causing harm to human health. What matters most is the overall nutritional profile – the whole package. And besides, watercress contains more calcium than milk, while broccoli boasts more protein per calorie than beef.

How to conquer Meat-Free May

1. Rather than cook your regular meal without including meat, change the ingredients so that vegetables, beans and lentils become the focus of your dish. This way your dinner doesn’t feel like it’s lacking something. This ramen soup is a wonderfully filling option.

2. Find out if there’s a veggie restaurant or cafe near you. You’ll be inspired by what they offer, and this can then become something you’ll be keen to recreate at home.

3. Make hearty meals to give you the feeling that you are having a meaty dish. Try delicious filling stews with lots of sweet potatoes, beans and root vegetables. Or make a lasagne using lentils in place of mince.

Go meat-free for 30 days, then try to incorporate regular meat-free days in your week. Your body, mind and Planet Earth will thank you for it.