Here's What Really Happens When You Go Meatless Just One Day a Week

Meatless Monday, a global public health campaign started in 2003 by Sid Lerner in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, promotes abstaining from meat just one day a week. Research shows that this simple shift has numerous benefits for individuals, the planet, and institutional systems like hospitals and schools. The campaign has recently launched a new digital resource center to support public health professionals, institutions, and advocates in implementing Meatless Monday programs.

Not only does reducing meat consumption have environmental benefits, such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions, but it also has significant health implications. Studies have shown that substituting plant-based proteins for red meat can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health issues. Through initiatives like Meatless Monday and Healthy Monday, institutions and individuals are encouraged to incorporate plant-based eating habits into their weekly routines for long-term health and environmental benefits.