5 easy tips to eat less meat

Eating less meat and choosing only high welfare options is crucial in shifting away from cruel factory farming. By reducing global demand for meat products, there will be less pressure on the farmers who have industrialised their systems in order to meet this currently excessively high demand.

But eating humanely doesn’t have to be an all or nothing proposition. If more people started eating a little less (but higher welfare) meat each week they could help the billions of animals who are factory farmed every year.

Whether you are looking to just reduce how much meat you eat, or thinking about embracing a plant-based lifestyle, these easy-to-follow tips can help you take your first steps.

1. Try meatless Mondays

Drastic approaches to lifestyle changes don’t work for everyone. Instead, try and phasing out meat from your diet little by little. Start by trying meatless Mondays, and then gradually increase the amount of days you stick to a plant-based lifestyle.

2. Explore plant protein

Protein is an essential nutrient in our diet, helping us build and repair muscle. Nature offers us a wide and colourful variety of meat-free options that are rich in protein. You could try: legumes such as lentils and beans (red lentils have 25g protein per 100g), tofu (10-19g protein per 100g), and chickpeas (around 20g protein per 100g). Many greens are also a fresh and healthy source of protein: 100g of fresh spinach or broccoli contain 3g of protein. You should aim for around 0.7g of protein for every kg of body weight, however, this quantity should increase if you lead an active lifestyle.

3. Make the most out of your meat

So much of the food we buy is wasted. To make sure any meat you buy doesn’t end up in the bin, try planning your meals ahead, so you can buy only what you need. Freeze any leftovers for a quick dinner!

4. Consider plant-based meat

There are so many options for meat alternatives these days, with some replicating the taste and texture almost to perfection. These are ideal for those who struggle with the idea of parting (temporarily or permanently) with the taste of meat. They also come in such as sausages or mince, making it easy to just swap them into your favourite recipes.

5. Try with a buddy

It’s easier to try something new with a friend. Why not embark on your new lifestyle with a buddy so you can exchange tips, recipes and recommendations on the best plant-based restaurant options?

We are not a vegan or vegetarian organisation, but we do understand the huge effect that eating less, but higher welfare meat can have on the lives of farm animals, your health and the planet. We hope these tips are helpful to you whether you’re dipping your toe in the water, or diving into a plant-based lifestyle.