Presented by Amy O’Shea 

Meatless Monday

Started as a nonprofit initiative of The Monday Campaigns, in association with John Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2003

It started as a response to the Healthy People 2010 report

• One goal was to reduce dietary saturated fat by 15%
• Red meat, pork, solid fats, butter, full fat dairy (milk, cheese), fast food, desserts
• Going vegetarian for one day per week is a small change that can benefit your health and the environment.
• It can reduce our "Carbon Footprint"

Nutrition

• Our great-grandparents did not eat as much meat as we do now!
• A few generations ago, people ate meat in side-dish portions
• Beans, lentils, vegetables, and whole grains were more of the main focus of the meals
• Providing for a more nutrient rich diet! 

What About Protein?

• Protein is very important for building our bones, muscles, skin, blood, and cartilage. ○ It is important for growth and repair in our bodies.
• The typical American consumes more than 3 times the amount of protein recommended ○ It's only one day a week!
• Plant based protein sources include; Beans, nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables ○ Loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber!
• Dairy products can still be consumed!

Health Benefits
Plant based diets can lead to a lower risk of;

• Certain cancers
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Lower blood cholesterol levels
• Lower blood pressure
• Fiber to help us “go” regularly

Environment
To be produced meat requires a lot of;

• Pesticides
• Chemical fertilizer
• Fuel
• Feed
• Water

Plant foods have a lower environmental impact!

The "Greenhouse Effect"
These GHG's contribute to the "Greenhouse effect"

• A gaseous layer that is too dense to allow heat to escape
• When the sun's heat is prevented from rising out of the atmosphere, it flows back into space, warming the Earth's surface
• Too much contributes to global warming and could possibly be the leading cause!

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, livestock was estimated to contribute to 18% of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG)

• Other estimates range from 10-51%

Meatless Monday began in response to the Healthy People 2010 report in hopes of reducing what kind of fat? What foods contain this type of fat?

What are some of the health benefits of participating in Meatless Monday?

What are some examples of plant based proteins?

What are some of the environmental benefits of participating in Meatless Monday?

What are some examples of meatless meal options? Saturated Fats.Red meat, pork, solid fats, butter, full fat dairy (milk, cheese), fast food, desserts

More nutrient-rich diet (vitamins/minerals/ fiber), less saturated fat, lower risk of diseases (certain cancers, Diabetes, heart disease, obesity), and better bowel function Beans, nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables

Less pesticides, chemical fertilizer, fuel, feed, and water, less GHG emissions (that lead to global warming), Overall less carbon footprint

Questions?

Thank You!