In many countries, people eat meat at almost every meal. On Ikaria, meat has traditionally been a food for festivals and Sundays, eaten a few times a month.
For your health
Large amounts of red and processed meat are linked with a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Diets rich in legumes, vegetables and whole grains are linked with lower risks.
For the planet
Meat production has a large environmental footprint. Raising livestock uses a lot of land and water and produces a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Beans and lentils supply protein with a fraction of that impact.
No need to give it up
Try two or three meat-free days a week, use meat as a flavoring rather than the main event, and choose fish or legumes more often.
