A Healthier You. A Healthier Planet.

Approximately 14% of our personal contribution to climate change is attributed to food and beverages.  According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “the single most effective choice you can make to lower the global warming emissions resulting from your diet is to eat less meat, especially beef.” *

In a Harvard School of Public Health study led by Dr. Frank Hu,  replacing just one serving of total red meat with one serving of a healthy protein source was associated with a lower mortality risk: 7 % less for fish; 14% for poultry; 19%for nuts;10% for legumes;10% for low-fat dairy products; and 14% for whole grains.”

The bottom line:  “choosing more healthful sources of protein in place of red meat can confer significant health benefits by reducing chronic disease morbidity and mortality.” **

Take our “Less Meat” challenge and consider eating more vegetables, chicken or fish at your next meal. You don’t have to do this alone. Not only have we provided you with delicious recipes below, but Harvard University Dining just rolled out a new “Less Meat Mondays” menu featuring two vegetarian options. Don’t forget to share your tips, ideas, and recipes on facebook.

* Union of Concerned Scientists, Cooler Smarter
**Harvard Gazette, Red Meat Raises Red Flags

Additional Resources:

• Harvard School of Public Health, Healthy Eating Plate

• Mark Bittman, New York Times columnist, explores U.S. food

• Matt Hayek, third year PhD student in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University, explores the Empirical Case for a Plant Based Diet in this article.

• EPA Facts: Food and Climate Change

Recipes:

• Real Simple Vegetarian

• The Post Punk Kitchen 

• OFS Staff Favorite: Farfalle with Creamy Mushroom Gorgonzola Sauce

• OFS Staff Favorite: Hummus, Avocado, Toast – add an egg on top for extra protein.
   

Harvard Student Organizations:

• Harvard Food Law Society

• Vegitas