Healthy Bits · Nutrition & wellness
Reduce animal protein
Eating less animal protein doesn't mean giving it up. I tell my clients to think of meat as a side dish rather than the star of the plate, and to let plants take up more room.
Plant-forward eating is linked with better heart health, and it brings more fiber, which most of us don't get enough of. Beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, nuts and seeds all offer protein along with that fiber. It's easier on the planet and your grocery budget, too.
A few easy ways to start:
- Try one meatless dinner a week
- Swap half the ground meat in tacos or pasta sauce for lentils or chopped mushrooms
- Build a grain bowl around chickpeas or black beans
When you do eat animal protein, choose quality: pasture-raised, wild-caught or organic when you can.
- protein
- vegetarian
- beans
- environment
Healthy Bits are for general education and aren’t medical advice. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or are managing a health condition.