It's no secret that many of us eat meat, and enjoy eating meat. But we also recognize that it's easy to fall into a trap of putting it at the center of every meal - the way we ate growing up. Now we're pushing meat off the plate on a semi-regular basis. Why?
Eating Vegetarian More Often
Simply put, our bodies feel better when we eat a wide variety of foods. While meat can be a part of that; it is sometimes eclipsing, preventing us from exploring other exciting options. Health experts advocate not eating too much meat, particularly red meat, and environmentalists decry the damage that large-scale meat factories do to our world.
As Michael Pollan famously said, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." That can be hard for some of us to do in the wintertime, when fresh produce is limited. But at this time of year, where a new and exciting piece of fruit or vegetable appears in the market every week, we like to push ourselves a little.
Does this dish really need meat? Would the flavors of the fresh veggies shine a bit brighter if the focus weren't on the meat? Is the boneless skinless chicken breast in this recipe going to get dry and stringy, while tofu will stay moist and tender?
And of course, finding good vegetarian main dish recipes adds an interesting challenge to our meal planning on meat-free days. That's how we've discovered some of our favorite dishes, and some of our favorite grains. This "restriction" actually leads us to eat a more varied diet.
So, we thought some of you might like to take up this challenge as well. If every meal typically includes meat, try adding one or two regularly scheduled meat-free nights. If you're already eating meat-free at some meals, add a few more specially designated nights.
You might just discover you like it!
(Originally posted at The Kitchn)
Related: Resources for Going Vegetarian
(All images by Faith Hopler for the Kitchn. Israeli Couscous with Chard; Cold Soba, Sesame, and Carrot Salad; Basil Parmesan Pot Beans)
Comments (7)
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Ugh. WHY does everyone mention tofu when talking about meat replacements? It's so SO nasty! It does have a place, but NOT in my dinner, thanks. Dessert? Sure (Seriously, it makes wonderful pudding). Smoothy? Great! But it ain't meat and it's certainly not the only source of protien other than meat.
Most of us get plenty of protien from the other foods we eat so feel free to skip the "meat replacements" and go with another helping of delicious plants. Or put in mushrooms. At least they have approximately the correct texture. But don't limit yourself to tofu, you'll regret it.
view Tiamat_the_Red's profile
Quiona is an excellent source of protein and can be cooked an flavored like rice. Tofu?!! Uggh??!!
view Khurt Williams's profile
I agree that Americans generallyl have fallen into the trap of having meat as a centerpiece of every meal.
I have a coworker. She's Indian-American and her dining habits accomodates a variety of dishes, both meat and meatless.
Her husband is from the American South, and he must have some type of meat, chicken, fish, or beef, as the centerpiece of each and every meal, including lunch. A meal with meat, to him, is merely a "snack."
view david's profile
I like firm tofu, but not soft. I don't mind using it in blocks for stir fry (baked in the oven is fabulous). My husband and I treat meat as a side dish, usually making about 80% of our meals vegetarian. If I include meat in a meal, it's usually one serving split between the two of us for flavor, not as the main course. Occasionally though, we indulge in a massive hamburger. :P
I believe in direct relation to eating 80% vegetarian, I have lost and kept off 45lbs for the last 3 years. When I get sick (about once a year), I am over it within a week. Before this diet change, I used to get sick multiple times a year and it would last a few months each time.
view wesaturtle's profile
Don't forget that cutting out meat and fish can significantly reduce your grocery bill.
Try lentil soup with cilantro and chard, or risotto with fresh peas, or pizza with broccoli rabe and caramelized onions...
Signing up for a weekly CSA delivery will guarantee variation and inspiration.
view Snickidy's profile
I must stand up for tofu: I LOVE TOFU! I recently read something about the reasons why people might be predisposed not to like tofu (did I read it on AT? I don't remember), including that the very word might remind them of the movie Soylent Green - because it starts with "soy." Whatever it is, I didn't get that slant and simply love it in all its forms, and there are many. There are so many delicious ways to make tofu.
Rant:
I've been a vegetarian for many years (almost a couple of decades) and love posts like this. My one warning is--and it's really no different than with any other way to eat--make sure you're eating good foods and not an unhealthy, unbalanced, though vegetarian, diet. The reason I think it's particularly important when trying out a veggie diet (although this won't really apply if you're simply substituting meals here and there) is because people will blame their health problems on the vegetarian diet, rather than on what their particular diet actually consisted of. Doctors will do that too - blame the lack of meat, rather than look at what the person's actually eating.
End of rant.
view Pixie's profile
I completely agree with this post. I am not a vegetarian but I eat very little meat. And I rarely eat tofu- I've had it cooked in ways that I enjoy but I can never get it right. I love beans, squash, eggplant, sweet potatoes. Quinoa is very healthy for you but it's always too bland for my taste.
~beinggreeninabrownworld.blogspot.com~
view flygirl's profile