4 Benefits Of A Meat-Free Christmas

Christmas is a time of year that’s steeped in tradition. And while that’s fine for many, it is at best a mixed blessing. We can find ourselves doing the same things, seeing the same people and eating the same foods year in and year out. If we’re not careful, tradition can become routine… And routines can become tedious. If you’re thinking of mixing things up for Christmas this year, why not try doing something a little bit different and trying a meat free menu for the big day.

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Now, for many Christmas day without turkey is like a day without sunshine, but there’s a compelling argument to be made for a plant based festive feast this year. Still not convinced? Take a look at these 4 benefits of a meat-free Christmas.

It’s like a Christmas gift for the planet

Who knows how many more will give Veganuary a try next month, but when you’ve given a meat free Christmas a try, you could join the thousands of people embracing a plant based diet. While people try vegetarianism and veganism for a variety of different reasons, environmental stewardship is often one of them.

Animal farming has a wide range if adverse effects on the planet. It has a huge carbon footprint and is a colossal drain on our water and resources. Thus, going meat free for Christmas is like a Christmas present for the planet.

There could be less chance of getting sick

Many of us suffer from seasonal snuffles over the winter. Worse still, we can catch the flu which can at best knock us on our butts for days at a time and at worst can be life-threatening. Aside from seeing an AC unit repair specialist to make sure there are no nasty bugs lurking in your AC, you can also give your immune system a fighting chance by having yourself a veggie Christmas.  When you look at the most potent immune boosting foods it becomes apparent that they’re virtually all plants.

You can get to try things you’d never have considered otherwise

While there’s certainly comfort in the familiar, variety is still the spice of life. If you crave a break from the norm, eliminating the tried and true foods of the festive season can open you up to whole new realms of possibilities that you may never have otherwise considered. From epic and festive flavored nut roasts to brussel sprouts with tofu bacon, you can still enjoy the flavors of the season without meat.

You could actually lose weight rather than gaining it!

A plant based (or mostly plant based) diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and complete proteins but is low in saturated fats. So long as you steer clear of processed foods with hidden sugars and trans fats, there’s a good chance that you could actually lose weight over the holidays while everyone else is hard at work gaining it.

Whether you want to lay the foundations for a more ethical lifestyle or you’re simply in the mood for a change, you have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain by trying a meat-free Christmas!