AN INCREASINGLY POPU- LAR way of eating called reducetarianism may sound like a new weight loss fad. And you might drop some pounds, should you try it. But that's not the main goal; instead, reducetarianism is about cutting down on the amount of meat and processed foods you eat, making small changes that are healthy for you and the planet.
"Many people think of meat consumption as an all-or-nothing premise: Either you're a vegan, or you're not," says Brian Kateman, co-founder and president of the Reducetarian Foundation. "But the vast majority of people don't want to go vegan." So he has a simple message for the rest of us: "Don't let perfection be the enemy of the good."
Compared with a vegetarian or a vegan, reducetarians take a more flexible approach that acknowledges the challenges of giving up meat entirely but still limits meat, poultry, and dairy products when possible.
If this all sounds good to you, here are six fairly simple things you can try:
1. Eat more plants
The flip side of eating less meat is eating more whole-plant foods. Animal products often displace fresh fruits and vegetables, leading to an increased risk of deficiency in nutrients from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A more plant-based diet can help lower the risk of health problems including heart disease, colon cancer, and obesity.
And research has shown that the climate toll from raising plant-based foods is half or less of the toll caused by animal-based foods. This is largely because it takes a lot more land, water, energy, and other resources to produce a pound of animal meat compared to plant protein, says Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, senior dietitian at UCLA Medical Center and author of Recipe for Survival. Just adopting a Meatless Monday or a few meatless meals each week can make a difference. Reducetarians believe that every plant-based meal is a win for people and the planet.
This story is from the October 2022 edition of Reader's Digest US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2022 edition of Reader's Digest US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
OIL'S VERY DIRTY SECRET
More than 100,000 abandoned oil and gas wells dot the land, spewing methane and pollutants. One former energy company executive has made it his mission to cap them.
What Were You Inking?!?
Not everyone still loves their tattoos 20 years (or even 20 minutes) later
So Was There a Second Date?
Readers share their stories of unforgettable first dates, from studs to duds
The Calendar Girls
After Molly Baker's husband died suddenly, her friends organized a year's worth of support
A SINKING FEELING
A mother and daughter are trapped below the deck of a capsized boat. A shrinking air pocket is the only thing keeping them alive.
You're Cordially Invited
Starring Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon
The Bike Vigilantes
Your bicycle just got stolen. These volunteers will get it back.
All Creatures Great & Small
Starring Nicholas Ralph and Samuel West
Yep, There's an At-Home Test for That
Which ones should you trust to diagnose your health?
How Much Should You Weigh, Really?
The advice has moved beyond the old BMI (body mass index) measure