Shifting to plant-based meals doesn’t mean giving up the food you know and love
Climate change is a reality we have to face. Its effects become harder to ignore everyday, with the extreme weather conditions people experience and the health risks they bring. Being mindful of one’s carbon footprint is now more important than ever, and one simple way to do so is to revolutionise the way we eat.
Meat consumption is one of the biggest contributors to global warming because of the processes involved with it. These result in deforestation, water shortages, and greenhouse gas emissions, among others. To address these concerns, David Yeung founded Green Monday with a mission to empower individuals to create a global impact.
The premise of Green Monday is simple: to choose plant-based meals over meat and seafood every Monday. By doing this simple act once a week, a significant amount of carbon emissions are already reduced. It is also a way to slowly ease oneself into a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
A common misconception about green eating is that it entails sacrificing the delicious flavours meat brings to the table. Thankfully, modern innovations have made it possible to have the best of both worlds. At the recent International Sustainability Summit in Manila, ASEAN Director of Green Monday Kelvin Ng said, “Technology has allowed us to not substitute, but succeed animal protein.” Here are a few food brands that have risen to the occasion:
Beyond Meat
With a mission to create The Future of Protein®, the brand wants to shift the focus from animal-based meat products to ones made with plant-based ingredients. Their burgers, ground beef, and sausages not only look like the real thing—they taste like it too.
Impossible Foods
Biting into just one Impossible™ Burger is equal to saving 87 percent of water, 97 percent of land, and 89 percent less greenhouse gas emissions. Impossible Foods understands that eradicating meat from the human diet is impossible, and instead want to offer a healthier and more eco-friendly alternative.