Savvy Vegetarian Blog

news and opinion on vegetarian diet and nutrition, vegetarian lifestyle, green living, and environment

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Wed, 04 Nov 2009

Why I Support Meatless Monday

Some vegans are against Meatless Monday, because they feel that it's an empty gesture which won't make any difference, since those who participate will will just go on eating meat for the other six days of the week. They say that those who support it are deluding themselves that anybody will go veg because of Meatless Monday.

Meatless Monday doubtors could be right or wrong. I don't have a crystal ball to see into the minds and hearts of participants. Regardless, I support Meatless Monday and anything else that gets people to think about their diet and start moving in a more positive direction.

From My Face Is On Fire:, "Clicking through the Meatless Monday website, it becomes obvious that the campaign's sole purpose is indeed to promote better human health. The site spells it out clearly in its FAQ section that the campaign isn't about promoting veganism or vegetarianism--it's about "moderation". The regular consumption of eggs is touted as nutritionally desirable and the consumption of low-fat dairy and fish are also presented as being nutritionally sound options. In fact, the consumption of fish is even encouraged."

The same Meatless Monday article that I read repeated the words 'plant-based diet' numerous times, and included the words vegetarian and vegan. Here's a quote: "Meatless Mondays are a simple yet radical way to change yourself and the planet. By choosing a plant-based diet for just one day a week, you’ll not only nourish your body, you’ll rejuvenate your soul 52 times a year!" I noticed they didn't mention the other 313 days, but it didn't sound to me as if the article was anti-vegetarian or vegan.

For 52 days a year, fewer animals are eaten. That may or may not be significant, depending on how many people participate. Regardless, Meatless Monday can't help but raise awareness of animal suffering, even if indirectly. It teaches people that it's possible to eat meatless meals and be healthy. It helps to loosen the suffocating grip of Big Ag on our culture. It increases public acceptance of vegetarian or vegan diets.

Meatless Monday is a catalyst for those who are leaning toward a plant based diet. Personally, I can't see how Meatless Monday would NOT increase the probability of more people going vegetarian or vegan. It may not happen quite how I think it should, but that's okay.

Although I'm vegan, I wasn't always, and I don't believe that a 100% vegan diet is the only possible way for everyone. Some people can't or don't want to jump in with both feet and go completely vegan overnight.

For some, eating more veggies, fruit, and whole grains, along with eggs, dairy, and fish instead of meat or poultry is a necessary step toward a plant-based diet.

Some take a long time to go completely vegetarian, and will never go vegan. Many stop at semi-vegetarian, or go back and forth between veg and non-veg. Some are vegetarians at home but non-veg when they visit their families. It's all good to me.

Sometimes, I'm disturbed by the anger and impatience I see from vegans toward non-vegetarians or non-vegans. And I wonder, if vegans ran the world, would Meatless Monday be outlawed? Would non-vegans be locked up and forced to eat vegan until they repented? Would Savvy Vegetarian be shut down for not following the party line?

Of Course Not! A vegan diet is above all a peaceful diet. As Mahatma Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." For me, Meatless Monday is evidence that the change I wish to see in the world is happening.

Comment From R. Low: "Even if some can argue that Meatless Monday is pointless, no one can argue the fact that it will raise animal awareness considerably. I also completely agree that it will help with public acceptance of vegetarianism. As we are right now, less then 5 percent of the entire nation does not eat meat so to most, vegetarianism is uncharted territory. Hopefully this can open up the public's eyes and maybe even give the push that some need to learn more about the reasoning behind it. Meatless Mondays could really make a difference."

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