Dietary Changes Among People Practicing Meatless Monday

• Published in: Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2023-07, Vol.55 (7), p.69-69
• Main Authors: Altema-Johnson, Daphene, Shakory, Shima, Ramsing, Rebecca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.05.152

High meat consumption significantly impacts the global ecological footprint and health consequences of our food system. Food choices are complicated and influenced by culture, taste, economics, politics, and other determinants of health, thus the need for contributing solutions. Meatless Monday (MM) calls for skipping meat one day a week as a simple first step toward planetary health. Few studies have examined whether reducing one day a week leads to further changes in meat consumption. This study investigated the impact of the weekly MM newsletter and how participating in a meatless day influences dietary behaviors related to meat consumption throughout the week. This cross-sectional study analyzed responses (n=1,153) from a survey of MM e-newsletter subscribers. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling and included if they were 18 years old. Using logistic regressions, we investigated the relationship between practicing MM, eliminating meat more than one day/week, and incorporating meatless recipes at home and eating out. Additionally, we examined if the duration of receiving the MM newsletter influences the likelihood of eliminating meat during the week. Participants who were practicing MM were ten times more likely to eliminate meat more than one day/week (Odds Ratio (OR)=9.94, p < 0.001) and twice as likely to eliminate meat entirely (OR=1.98, p = 0.008); eight times more likely to incorporate more meatless recipes at home (OR=10.77, p < 0.001); three times more likely to order more meatless meals when eating out (OR=3.18, p < 0.001) respectively. Participants who received the MM newsletter for more than one year were two times more likely to eliminate meat from their diet than those who received the newsletter for less than one. Eliminating meat one day per week increases the likelihood of further decreasing meat intake and making other dietary changes. MM offers a small-step strategy that leads to additional dietary changes. None