Reducetarianism - Everything You Need To Know

Reducetarianism - Everything You Need To Know

Reducetarianism - The benefits

We are all too familiar with Vegetarian & Vegan-ism, but what's the curious case of
"Ruducetarianism?" Since the beginning of 2015, this alternative diet plan has been endorsed by celebrated chefs, thought leaders, celebrities and more. Referring to the practice of "reducing" the consumption of meat and dairy products, rather than its complete elimination, reducetarianism may be the way forward for a greener & cleaner planet. So how does it work exactly? Let's explore.

The concept

With reducetarianism, the aim is to reduce the quantity of meat and dairy consumed daily by substituting it with vegetarian alternatives. So how is it different from vegetarianism?
Reducetarianism advocates actively reducing the quantity of these products from the daily meal rather than completely avoiding it as in vegetarianism. It is not to be confused with a flexitarian where a vegetarian occasionally chooses to indulge in meat and fish.
The benefits of the reducetarian diet encompass both health and environmental impact.

Reducetarian diet for exponential Health benefits

We are all too familiar with the risks associated with excessive red meat consumption as well as processed meat products that we consume. A University of Oxford study has shown that those who follow a plant-based diet have a 32% reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Added to it, research shows that consumption of red meat increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. The benefit of reducetarianism is that it does not drastically change a person's diet or protein intake, but is a measured and active step to reduce the intake of non-plant based foods for a healthier lifestyle.

Environmental Impact-Lowered carbon footprint & improved soil health

The huge impact of the dairy and meat industry on the health of the planet has been discussed at length over the years. Unscientific farming & unethical means to increase production to feed the growing demand of the industry contribute to a surge in greenhouse gas emission, as well as deteriorated soil cover, making acres of land unfit for use. Reducetarianism may be the answer for the larger global community to put forth their first step towards saving their health as well as the planet's.

How to transition to reducetarianism easily

As we become a more health-conscious generation and are more curious than ever as to what we consume, there’s a good chance some of us are already reducetarians today. If you aren’t and the concept sounds interesting to you, here are some tips and tricks to get on track with the trend.

1. Make your transition to vegetarian alternatives in a paced manner. Plan to shift one meal of the day to a vegetarian choice to begin with, and work forward.

2. Try vegan alternatives. From fancy tofu to homemade peanut curd, you'll be amazed at the sneaky alternatives to your protein intake which can be found by a quick Google search.

3. Experiment in the kitchen. Try new recipes, explore new tastes, bite into a leek or even substitute your tea concoction with soy milk (little changes that work a long way).

So is reducetarianism going to be your new diet plan? Experiment, explore and let us know how it worked out for you!