If you’re ready to dip your toes into the world of plant-based eating, Meatless Monday is the perfect day to start!
What Is Meatless Monday?
As the name suggests, Meatless Monday is just a day where you skip the meat and eat vegetarian—simple as that. Originally launched during World War I as a way to encourage food rationing, this idea got a modern makeover in 2003, thanks to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, to improve public health and the environment.
So, What Can You Eat?
Well…not meat! This means no beef, pork, lamb, goat, chicken, or turkey (most people also choose not to eat fish). Eating meatless just one day per week can save the lives of up to 29 animals, reduce your carbon footprint, and improve your health. Plus, it’s a fun way to expand your usual recipe repertoire—because who doesn’t love an excuse to cook something new and delicious? Eggs, cheese, milk, and dairy are fair game if that’s your thing, though we would encourage you to seek out a local farm or market to find these. The taste is often better, and the animals producing these ingredients are less likely to be subjected to factory farming.
Meatless Monday Recipes
Need inspiration? Here are 52 vegetarian dinners ready for your Meatless Mondays, broken down by month to help you cook with the season. (And yes, we’ve got options for picky eaters, families, and those on a budget!)
