7 Ways To Eat Less Meat This Summer
Written by Jenny Rose Edwards
Earlier this year, a Gallup Poll reported that nearly one in four Americans (23%) are eating less meat in the past year than they had previously.
Shortly after came the decline in meat availability due to Covid-19. This spurred Americans to rethink their diets and look into how their food is produced. If you’re amongst those individuals and have been looking into how to reduce your meat intake, then you’re in just the right place!
Tofu And Tempeh
Both tempeh and tofu are processed soy products. However, tofu is made from soy milk, whereas fermented soybeans make tempeh. They’re great for using as meat alternatives if you know how to cook them correctly and to your liking. Try out this Crispy Korean BBQ Tofu recipe or this Red Curry Tempeh Summer Roll recipe and see what you think!
Skewers With A Twist
Meat and vegetables aren’t your only options when it comes to skewers. You could skewer seitan, tempeh, tofu, soya chunks, or even fruit. Skewers can be flavored however you like, whether that be BBQ, sweet and sour, teriyaki, or the countless other flavor combinations out there.
Create EXCITING Salads
Salads, unfortunately, have earned a bad reputation for being boring, and if you agree then you haven’t tried a good salad before! Stop making meals with wilted bits of lettuce and diced veggies on top and instead create something that’s packed with flavor and texture. Here are some ideas
Add roasted legumes or seeds on top for added crunch and protein
Use better quality vegetables for better taste
Grill or roast vegetables and mix into your salad
Try out different dressings until you find one that you love
Add fermented or pickled foods or sauces like hummus
Eat More Hearty Wholegrains
One of the most significant health benefits of whole grains is that they lower your risk of heart disease. They’re loaded with fiber and thus keep you full for longer (finding foods that keep you full is essential when replacing meat with plants in your diet). You can easily add more wholegrains to your daily menu by snacking on ready-made products like wholegrain cereal bars or biscuits or switching to brown pasta.
Learn How To Replicate A ‘Meaty’ Flavor
Without seasoning, your favorite meat products would be bland, which is why it’s super easy to replicate the taste of meat with the help of the right seasonings. There are blends of herbs and spices that we associate with meat, for example, you could combine sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, celery seed, allspice, and black pepper to make your own “poultry” seasoning.
Bring Your Own Dishes To The Barbecue
If you don’t think an event is going to cater to your reducetarian needs, then there’s no problem with bringing some homemade dishes. It’s a great chance to impress everyone with exciting plant-based food, while also sticking to your new diet.
Vegetables Can Be Meaty
With a little effort and care, certain vegetables can adopt a suspiciously meaty texture during the cooking process. Cauliflower is a great nutritious replacement for animal protein, and we recommend trying out cauliflower taco ‘meat’ or even cauliflower steak. Other fruit and vegetables with meaty textures include jackfruit, mushrooms, and hearts of palm.
