A Practical Guide To Reducing Your Meat Intake

Chances are, you’re reading this article because you have already come to the conclusion that eating a lot of meat isn’t good for you. But if you haven’t, check out one of our previous articles where we outline just a few of the top reasons why you should consider cutting down on meat. 

In a nutshell, eating less animal protein is beneficial for our health, it’s more ethical, and it significantly reduces your carbon footprint. Despite all of this, it can still be difficult for people to make such a drastic change in their life. The majority of us have been raised on a diet that includes some form of meat with almost every meal. We also sometimes forget that food isn't just about the taste or the nutrition. We all have memories attached to certain dishes and flavours that go back as far as our childhood, making it difficult to part with them.

The good news is, that meat-free food has come so far in the past few years which means you might not have to cut out your favourite foods...

There are many varieties of legumes and many ways to prepare them. They’re an incredibly convenient ingredient because they often come pre-cooked in a can, and they can provide you with your daily protein - minus the cholesterol - which means it’s a healthier option than animal protein. Legumes are known to lower your blood sugar levels and increase healthy gut bacteria.

These high protein, high fibre foods will also keep you fuller for longer, meaning that you’ll be satisfied after your meals and hopefully not tempted to grab a meaty snack!

If you’re missing the texture and umami flavourings of meat then I highly recommend learning to make meat alternatives. This process can be as easy or as tricky as you like, for example, you could prepare tofu or tempeh or try something more advanced like making seitan from scratch (which will provide a more realistic, meaty texture).

Another option would be to take the shortcut and try out the many amazing mock meats that are now all over supermarket shelves and online.

Some people find it’s easier to reduce their meat intake when they’re following a consistent plan, for example, going meatless on Mondays, or going fully vegan on weekends. You can even make up your own routine to suit your lifestyle or schedule.

Many traditional meals use meat as the main attraction on the plate, however, if you change your mindset and treat meat as more of a side dish then it’ll be a lot easier to reduce your intake. Start to build your meals around plant foods rather than animal protein.

Trick your brain and taste buds into thinking that you’re eating the same things by experimenting with creating your old favourites. Pretty much any food can be made plant-based these days, from 'fish' tacos to ‘chicken’ wings. 

If, for whatever reason, you find yourself struggling with reducing your meat intake just try and think back to why you made the decision to do it in the first place. Was it a video that inspired you? If so, watch that video again. Was it a person that inspired you? Then talk to them about it! 

Things sometimes happen in life which makes it more difficult to stick to a new diet or lifestyle, and that’s ok. Just because you ‘slip up’ or revert back to old habits that doesn’t mean that you have to give up forever. Try again when it works for you. Not everything sticks the first time you try it.