Swap out red meat for healthier meats

Elevate your plate: Reducing red meat in our diets can be a win for our own health and the health of the planet. If you’re not quite sure where to start, these strategies can help you cut-back the red meat while keeping your meals filling and flavorful.

People have varying perceptions of what they consider to be “meat.” Although technically defined as any animal flesh consumed for food, some may only think of red and processed animal products as “meats,” while poultry and fish are viewed as separate categories. This may be a helpful approach, since the variety of meats and other animal products can have different effects on our own health, and the health of the planet.

Start here:

While a key goal should be getting more veggies and other quality plant-based foods in your diet, this step towards reducing red meat is pretty straightforward: incorporate a reasonable amount of poultry (like chicken and turkey) and a variety of seafood (from fish to mollusks).

• If you were planning to make a dish with red meat in a “starring role,” consider poultry and fish in its place. Finding some new favorite recipes is a great start; but here are some simple swaps that will come in handy for a range of recipes:
  • Marinate and pan-fry chicken or fish instead of grilling burgers and ribs
  • Swap in ground turkey for ground beef
  • Think sliced fresh chicken or canned tuna over cold cuts of any kind
  • Bake/sauté a chicken breast or some white fish, instead of frying a steak
  • Roast a turkey, chicken, or salmon rather than beef, lamb, or ham

You may be familiar with a classic beef-stuffed bell pepper, but have you ever tried other versions of this easily customizable dish? This stuffed pepper recipe ventures into new flavor territory with a stuffing of spicy chicken, black beans, and a mixture of veggies.

Get the recipe.

Take it a step further:

This strategy comes in handy when you’re designing a meal around animal-based protein, but what about giving plant-based foods some more of the spotlight? This next strategy boosts healthy plant-based foods like beans, nuts, whole grains, and other veggies, while still providing enough protein and ways to incorporate some of your favorite animal-based foods:

Consume less meat, enjoy more variety

See the tips.

More plate upgrades:

Prioritize hearty and savory plant-based preparations

Simple strategies for creating filling, delicious, and even budget-friendly plant-based dishes.

Eat a little less red meat, any way you can

Assess how often you eat red meat, and see if one of these strategies can help you find a way to cut back a bit.

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