For thousands of years, meat has always been one of the primary forms of sustenance for many cultures worldwide. Not only does meat provide necessary protein and nutrients to the body, but it’s one of the primary sources of nourishment for much of the general population.
But in the past few years, many individuals have been promoting veganism and a plant-based diet. Certain studies have shown that having a minimally processed diet is to a healthier lifestyle in the long run. But even before meatless diets have become “mainstream,” many religious groups and cultures are already practicing abstinence from meat.
So what are some ways in transitioning to a meat-free diet? What can you do to live a healthier life without having to incorporate meat into your diet all the time? Here’s what you can do.
Why Should You Cut Down on Meat?
But before discussing some critical ways to transition to a meatless diet, let’s first answer one of the most prevalent questions out there: why should you cut down on meat? Many studies suggest that consumption of too much meat, especially red meat, can lead to an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases related to the right in cholesterol.
Naturally, refraining from eating meat is a complicated process since many cuisines, food establishments, and home-cooked meals always have meat in the diet. Many health experts would also say that much of our diet consists too much of meat. But in the past few years, going meatless is slowly becoming popular. Although it might seem overwhelming, it’s not impossible to do.
So why should you start going meatless?Some of the main benefits to transitioning to a diet without meat include:
- You can spend less. Meat is generally more expensive than vegetables, especially since this can take up more time and effort to grow livestock.
- You can have a considerably better intake of vitamins, fiber, and nutrients.
- You can cut down on fats and cholesterol levels.
- It’s more friendly to the environment when there are fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Since there are several benefits in going meatless, what are some ways of introducing this to your daily diet? Here’s what you can do.
Making Familiar Home-cooked Dishes
One of the best ways of transitioning to a meatless diet is by incorporating it into home-cooked dishes. It goes without saying that home-cooked meals are the first step to introducing something to our diet.
Don’t know where you can start with some savoury and healthy home-cooked food? You won’t have to look far since many delicious Pinoy home cooking recipes are healthy. Many of these meat-based ingredients can also be replaced with alternatives and vegetables that make the transition seamless.
Keeping a Lookout for Processed Food
Although you are transitioning to a meat-free diet, it’s still crucial to keep in mind that just because you are eating processed doesn’t mean that everything that doesn’t have meat is healthy. Many mass-produced products are processed with a variety of chemicals that can lead to long-term health problems.
The majority of individuals usually rely on products and produce readily available in the grocery store. Even though that doesn’t mean that everything in the grocery store is filled with harmful chemicals and processed food, it’s still important to exercise critical thinking when choosing the right products.
When looking at products in the store, you might want to consider looking at the ingredients. There are some key differences between processed and ultra-processed food. Another rule of thumb that can help you choose the right products is looking at the nutrition label of certain products.
Getting Motivated
Finally, a vital part of living a healthier meat-free life is by surrounding yourself with vegan advocates. Building up your network of like-minded individuals is one of the best ways to learn recipes, stories, and products that are healthy for your diet. Still, it’s best that you do your research right before making any decisions.
As you can see, you have to consider several factors when you’re taking steps to a meat-free life. Although it might seem a bit daunting at first glance, there are some benefits to going meatless. It can help you and your health in the long run.
Still, it’s vital to be mindful that this lifestyle is not for everyone. It’s best that you consult a nutritionist before making any final commitments and changes. Seeing a professional is the best way of checking your current health status while pointing out the right products you should eat. This way, you know you’re doing it right without causing any issues.
Featured Photo by Farhad Ibrahimzade on Unsplash
