Not ready to go vegetarian cold turkey—or in this case, no turkey? Test-drive the health benefits of a meat-free lifestyle by adopting Meatless Monday. Take just this one day a week to keep meat off the dinner table in your house. "Any time you substitute plants for meat, you
decrease the saturated fats and increase the fiber and phytonutrients in your meal," says Ruth Frechman, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "If you’re eating plants, it's going to be beneficial to your health." (And skipping meat 1 day a week benefits our planet’s health too. The United Nations estimates the meat industry is responsible for one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions.)
Your inner carnivore might be concerned that you won’t feel full after a day of eating only rabbit food, but fruits and vegetables can provide all of the satiating fiber and protein you need. Plus, our healthy swaps will help you stave off hunger and slim down without missing meat. Read on for eight tasty, all-veggie meal ideas.