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One of the questions people frequently ask of vegetarians is what they can substitute for meat. I understand the concern. That was one of my questions when I first seriously considered the idea of becoming a vegetarian. Of course, I was also concerned about health issues, but I had researched the subject long enough to know that vegetarians who ate wisely and well had major health advantages over meat-eaters. Still, the question of how to plan and prepare dinners without meat was worrisome. Now, years later, I can chuckle over my early anxiety, for vegetarian meals are amazingly easy to prepare. Nevertheless, I understand the concern many people have about trying to plan meals without meat as the main entrée. Fortunately, today there is a major source of help for anyone who wants to try a vegetarian approach to meals, even if only occasionally. It is a national organization that goes by the name of Meatless Monday. Meatless Monday was designed to help prevent leading causes of death in America, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. It is a non-profit organization associated with the School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, and supported by twenty-eight other schools of public health. Even though Meatless Monday has impressive academic backing, it is not pretentious or boring in its approach to nutritional information. It is based on sound science, but is always interesting and fun. As the name suggests, the goal of Meatless Monday is to help people get off to a good nutritious start every week. Eliminating meat one day a week helps most people reach healthier dietary goals. In addition, “going meatless on Monday is a great way to start the week off on a lighter note.” The Meatless Monday online site (www.meatlessmonday.com) has a wealth of information about nutritious food, meal planning, and many other aspects of healthy eating. Many communities and groups across the country have adopted Meatless Monday as a great way to improve nutrition. I recommend subscribing to Eater’s Digest at the Meatless Monday website. It is a good way to stay updated nutritionally. Best of all, it is free! |