Meatless Monday Is Having a Midlife Moment — Here’s How to Make It Count
Meatless Monday might be over 100 years old, but it’s still one of the easiest ways to reduce your climate impact—here’s how to do it right.
What we eat has a bigger impact than most of us realize.
Food — or more specifically, how we grow, transport, and throw it out — is responsible for roughly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s everything from raising cattle to trucking in strawberries from across the world.
The good news? We don’t need to overhaul our entire lives to make a difference. Just one meat-free day a week can help lower your environmental footprint, reduce water usage, and support more sustainable food systems.
Enter: Meatless Monday.
It’s not new (more on that in a second), but it is one of the simplest, most accessible ways to shift your habits — especially with so many great plant-based ingredients, products, and flavors on the scene. Whether you’re cooking for a family, feeding picky teens, planning weeknight dinners for two, or trying to avoid another sad solo sandwich, Meatless Monday is a doable (and delicious) place to start.
A Quick History of Meatless Monday
Meatless Monday started as a wartime campaign — President Woodrow Wilson encouraged Americans to skip meat on Mondays to support the World War I effort. It came back during WWII, and again in the early 2000s as a public health push.
In 2025, it’s having a revival — not just for health, but for the planet.
Does One Meatless Day Really Make a Difference?
Yes. But you have to do it right.
Meat production, particularly beef, is a major source of methane emissions and deforestation. According to the Center for a Livable Future, if every American skipped meat just once a week, it would be like taking 7.6 million cars off the road. (Whoa.)
That said, the impact depends on your swaps. A day full of cheese pizza and frozen faux-meat nuggets won’t win many climate awards.
The goal? Real, whole ingredients. Fewer processed stand-ins. More plants. And a little intention.
How to Make Meatless Monday Count
Here’s how to level up your meatless meals — without overcomplicating things.
Start Where You Are
Not ready to go full vegan? No problem. Start by skipping red meat. Already doing that? Make one entirely plant-based day per week your default. From there, expand as it feels doable.
Plan Ahead
Batch cook on Sunday night or keep a few key products on hand so your Monday meal doesn’t sneak up on you. Leftovers = your best friend.
Keep It Simple
Soups, tacos, pastas, stir-fry, and grain bowls are perfect for plant-based upgrades. Think: lentils instead of ground beef. Roasted sweet potatoes instead of chicken. Chickpeas over eggs in a scramble.
Shop for Real Food
Ultra-processed vegan options exist — but real plants taste better. Focus on fresh produce, legumes, grains, and smart shortcuts that don’t compromise flavor or nutrition.
Real Meals for Real Life
To take the guesswork out of going meatless, I teamed up with Field Tripper Jacob — a full-time vegan and long-time flavor snob — to test some standout plant-based brands. The goal? Find flexible, easy-to-use staples that work for households of different sizes and cooking styles.
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Ah, coffee. The most important meal of the day, right? Four Sigmatic’s mushroom coffee blends are rich, smooth, and made with functional mushrooms like lion’s mane. If you are like me, you are thinking, “Mushrooms? In my coffee? No thanks.” But trust me on this one—you won’t taste the mushrooms, but you might feel the boost.
Use it:
• As your morning ritual — hot, iced, or with oat milk
• Packed in your camp kit or travel bag (the instant version is truly great—and I have never said that about an instant coffee before)
• With a splash of plant-based “milk” for a creamy, dairy-free latte
Malk Plant-Based “Milk”
Speaking of plant-based “milk,” Malk is made with just a few clean ingredients and no gums or fillers. It’s creamy enough for coffee and neutral enough for cooking.
Use it:
• In smoothies, baking, or creamy pasta sauces
• Over granola for a quick plant-based breakfast
Frothed into your latte for a full plant-based start to the day
Realand Nutrition Fava Bean Protein
Use it when: You need a protein boost that’s actually good.
Most vegan proteins rely on soy, pea, or rice — but fava beans are rising stars. Realand’s powder is smooth (no gritty texture), great-tasting, and better for the planet. Fava beans require less water and land than other protein crops and pack a complete amino acid profile.
Try it in:
• Morning smoothies with oat milk and frozen banana
• Overnight oats or chia pudding for grab-and-go breakfasts
• Baked into muffins or pancakes for a protein-rich start
• Blended into soup for extra creaminess without dairy
For families: Mix into pancakes or muffins — kids won’t even notice.
Jackfruit
Jackfruit has completely replaced the highly processed faux meat for me. Jackfruit is a fruit and a superb meat alternative. Slice it or shred it (for a pulled-pork-style texture) —it’s perfect for savory meals — without soy, wheat, or fillers.
Use it:
• In tacos or burritos with cumin and lime.
• Stirred into a curry with coconut milk and veggies
• Shredded and tossed with BBQ sauce for a family-friendly sandwich night
Everiday Sauces
That’s not a typo. Everiday sauces are plant-based and a shortcut to flavor-packed bowls. No chopping garlic. No searching your spice rack for the perfect mix. Just real ingredients in a jar. And these jars pack a serious yum!
Use them:
• Over rice, noodles, or roasted veggies
• In a “clean out the fridge” stir-fry
• As a marinade for tofu or jackfruit
Tamarind Heads Sauce
Use it when: You want bold flavor without the heavy lift.
This tangy, tamarind-based sauce is your new not-so-secret weapon. It’s perfect for fast flavor layering when you’re short on time or energy.
Try it in:
• Stir-fried noodles or veggie fried rice
• A marinade for tofu, tempeh, or jackfruit
• Drizzled over roasted eggplant, cauliflower, or chickpeas
• Tossed with soba noodles and shredded veggies for a chilled lunch bowl
Bonus tip: Kids will love it with crispy jackfruit bites. Just say it’s “sweet and sour” and let them dunk.
Island Time Chips
Use it when: You want crunch, color, and something fun to scoop with.
These tropical-inspired chips are made from breadfruit — a nutrient-rich, climate-smart crop — and they’re endlessly snackable.
Try them with:
• Black bean dip or guacamole as a meatless snack board
• Crushed over a taco salad for texture
• Alongside a soup or stew for a “breadless” crunch
• Layered into a veggie-packed nacho night (use jackfruit or lentils instead of meat)
Family-friendly idea: Do a DIY nacho bar — set out chips, beans, salsa, roasted veggies, and toppings. Everyone builds their own.
Lynn Leaf Tea
Use it when: You want a plant-based ritual that’s grounding, not just caffeinating.
Made with wild-harvested guava leaves and tropical botanicals, Lynn Leaf isn’t your average herbal tea.
Try it:
• As a cozy after-dinner wind-down (especially if you’ve overdone the garlic)
• Brewed strong and chilled with citrus slices for an iced tea upgrade
• Mixed into a smoothie base or mocktail for extra earthy depth
For couples or roommates: Make a pot to share, and call it your Monday reset ritual.
Bottom Line?
Meatless Monday is totally doable. Going fully vegan might feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Whether you’re skipping meat once a week, switching your morning latte to oat milk, or trying jackfruit tacos for the first time, it all adds up.
Start where you are. Cook what you love. Keep it plant-based when you can.
