Every year in the U.S., close to ten billion chickens, cows, pigs and other animals are slaughtered for human consumption. It is questionable whether humane farms alone can meet the high demand in this country for meat and other animal-derived foods: some reduction in consumption will likely be needed.

The average American consumes about 204 pounds of meat per year.  This is considerably more than residents of other developed countries.  For example, citizens of Japan, Greece, and Norway consume 77, 120, and 146 pounds per year respectively, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).  

Many Americans are under the mistaken belief that they need to consume large quantities of protein. The average protein RDA (recommended daily allowance) for an adult male is 63 grams and 50 grams for an adult female; but the average daily consumption for an American is 103 grams, of which 70 grams comes from animal sources.  Adequate protein intake is easily achieved by consuming a variety of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

Here are some simple ways you can reduce your intake of meat and improve the quality of your diet at the same time: 

• Adapt your favorite recipes. You can make many of your favorite dishes by either leaving out the meat or replacing it with tasty vegetables. Try adding beans instead of ground beef to your next pot of chili or top your pizza with mushrooms and peppers instead of pepperoni and sausage.
• Replace meat with meat alternatives. This is another great way to reduce your consumption of meat without sacrificing your favorite foods. There's a wide variety of meat substitutes on the market – plain tofu, marinated tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein (TVP), veggie burgers, hot dogs, ‘chicken' nuggets, and the list goes on! Try a variety of brands to find ones that work for you and your family.
• Bulk up meals with fruits and veggies. Throw in fresh produce to stews, casseroles and pasta dishes. These healthy foods are full of fiber, leaving you feeling satisfied longer, and never deprived.
• Enliven your meals with bold new flavors. It will be tough to change your diet unless new meals have fresh, exciting tastes. Stock your kitchen with hot and spicy condiments, garlic and fresh herbs to add flavor to every dish.
• Cut out “total meat” dishes. Eat more dishes where meat is a secondary ingredient, like lasagna, pizza and soup and cut out dishes that feature meat, like pork chops, hamburgers and steak.
• Stop preparing meat at home. Even if you still eat it when you go out to restaurants or to a friend's house, not fixing it at home is an easy way to reduce your consumption of meat. 

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