HEALTH

Though lean meat and animal products can be part of a healthy and balanced diet, limiting your consumption of it—and upping your intake of other protein sources, like quinoa, nuts and beans as well as fresh fruits and veggies—can give your health and the environment a big-time boost.

How? Well, eating red meat can raise your cholesterol, increasing your eventual risk for certain diseases affecting your heart and other important organs. Eating lots of red meat is also linked to weight gain. Environmentally speaking, raising livestock takes up far more resources than growing plants that can provide similar nutrients. And while meat does supply you with tons of protein and minerals like iron, exploring other food groups will help diversify your palate—and that’s always a good thing.

So what do you think? Will you try the meatless Monday challenge?

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016