Meatless Monday October

October, or “Vegtober”, is a fantastic time to join the movement of omitting meat one day a week. At www.meatlessmonday.com, you’ll find resources and tips to assist you – everything from delicious recipes to articles ranging from health topics to environmental concerns. 

As to the why – the site offers an interesting explanation:

“Research conducted by Johns Hopkins concludes that health promotions utilizing weekly periodicity and the unique cultural associations of Monday as the beginning of the week have the potential to positively affect a range of healthy behaviors. People view Monday as a day for a fresh start and are more likely to starts diets and exercise regimes, quit smoking and schedule doctor’s appointments on Monday than any other day. And a Monday start helps them carry out their healthy intentions for the week.”

You don’t have to partner with the site to enjoy the benefits of Meatless Mondays during the month of October. The practice is gaining quite a bit of traction with popular magazines such as “Real Simple” and “Fit”, and challenges have bloomed across social media platforms. Using hashtags such as #meatlessmondays and #meatfreemonday, people are sharing their tips and plates to celebrate good health in the month of October. 

For those interested in a meat-free Monday, here are some tips to get started from WebMD:

• Look for foods that are fortified with extra nutrients for a nutritional boost. Choose soy products that are fortified with calcium, vitamin D and B12.

• Try tofu and soy crumbles, which are mild-tasting and absorb the seasonings and flavor of whatever you cook them with.

• Eat plenty of dark, leafy greens, which are rich in iron and provide calcium.

• Top salads, soups, stews, and omelets with beans, nuts, or seeds to add protein.

• Add a once-daily multivitamin/mineral for nutritional insurance. See your doctor or registered dietitian if you are pregnant or have any other condition that could require extra supplementation.

• Choose low- and nonfat dairy products.

• Boost the healthy omega-3 fatty acids in your diet by eating fatty fish (if you include fish in your diet), enriched eggs, walnuts, flaxseed, and canola oil.

• Try going meatless one day a week at first. You don't have to cook elaborate vegetarian meals; it can be as simple as having a veggie burger and salad for dinner.