Eco Living

Part Time Vegetarian

Climate experts are now telling us that eating less meat can be an effective sacrifice to combat climate change. Meat production is apparently causing habitat destruction and greenhouse gases through the production of animal feed and methane from cows.



If you like doing your bit for the green cause, it’s not only high time to park the car for a day every week; it could also be a good idea to become a part time vegetarian. For those of us that are not ready to give up meat completely it can still make a difference to your health, the environment and perhaps your wallet by introducing one or two meat-free days per week. The money saved by doing so can then be spent on buying local, or at least British, quality meat for the other days of the week.

Health facts
Vegetarians are about 40% less likely to develop cancer compared to meat eaters, they are also less likely to be obese, suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
A vegetarian diet is normally high in fibre, which reduces cholesterol, blood glucose levels and protects against colon cancer.
Vegetarians also tend to eat more nuts, which are high in good fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6, that are great for your heart and cholesterol levels. In average a vegetarian diet is also lower in saturated fat compared to a meat eater’s diet, which again lowers your cholesterol and promotes a healthy heart.

Environmental concerns
Many of us may be unaware that meat production accounts for nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. How?
Agriculture is heavily dependant on fossil fuels and the production of animal feeds is one problem. Also, a single cow emits around 200 litres of methane every day, a gas that is over 20 times more effective as a global warming agent than carbon dioxide.
However, a vegetarian diet that includes a lot of milk, butter and cheese will not reduce emissions that much, as dairy cows are also a source of methane.

Greener Eating
Whoever you are, Vegetarian or Meat eater, we can all save a huge amount of carbon emissions by taking on greener eating habits.

• Buying local produce and eating seasonal food is an important step. For ideas what's in season this month – check out our Seasonal Food page.

• Fewer trips to the food shops saves on emissions and reduces the likelihood of you buying produce and products that may go to waste. 

• Don't waste leftovers! Use what you have to make a soup, stir fry, omelette or pizza. Don't grab 2 for 1 offers if it wont be eaten. Use your freezer for food that you are not likely to eat in the near future.

• Keep nature free from chemicals and choose organic produce when possible!

Source 1: Vegetarian Diets for Health and Environment
(http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/vegetarian-diets-for-health-and-environment-525498.html)

Source 2: UN says eat less meat to curb global warming
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/07/food.foodanddrink