Food...

Grilling season has just started and already meat’s gotten off to a bad start. It’s been blamed for increasing global warming, causing health problems, and more. (For more information about why meat is under scrutiny see the previous post: Saving the World One Plate at a Time.) So, for those of us who are trying to reduce our meat intake, The Minimalist from the The New York Times, who understands that meat is front and center in the American diet, has a few suggestions.

1.      Keep it personal, not preachy: “The keys,” he writes, “are to keep at least some of your decisions personal so they affect no one but yourself.” If your decisions do affect someone else, don’t preach about why you’re cutting back on meat—nobody wants a lecture at the family bar-b-que. But, don’t apologize either, delicious food is delicious no matter the ingredients.

2.      Don’t worry about protein: You’ll get enough from nuts, plants, tofu, etc. The average American gets too much protein, in fact, 56 grams more each day than the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends.

3.      Know a serving: Four ounces of meat is a serving, yet we eat a half-pound of meat a day, cut that in half and you’re eating healthier and greener without really changing your diet significantly.

4.      Use meat differently: Use meat to add flavor or seasoning, as an ingredient that spices up stir-fries or salads, or as a side dish, not the main course. Meat may be on the side of the plate, not front and center, but when you’re using meat more thoughtfully and sparingly, it becomes a real treat to eat instead of just something to gnaw through.

5.      Use less meat: Cook more vegetarian recipes or trade meat for tofu in some recipes.

6.      Set meat-less meals: Make rules for when you do or don’t eat meat. No meat for breakfast, meatless Fridays, or no meat until dinner.

7.      Choose carefully: When you’re eating out, choose menu options that aren’t meat heavy, which may mean ordering soup and salad, or a delicious pasta dish instead. After a heaping bowl of fettuccini alfredo, you won’t miss the meat, honest.

Photo from NYTimes.com.