WATERLOO, ON: The School of Public Health and Health Systems (SPHHS) at the University of Waterloo announced its support of the global Meatless Mondays initiative. Meatless Mondays is a means of encouraging plant-based choices, one day each week.
“A convincing body of research indicates that the consumption of more plant-based foods and fewer servings of meat per week is a helpful strategy for reducing risk of chronic disease,” said Professor Craig Janes, director of SPHHS.
SPHHS (@UWSPHHS) will be tweeting links to simple recipes for healthy and delicious plant-based meals each week with the hashtag #UW_MeatlessMondays. On campus, various eateries offer meatless options and SPHHS is encouraging these venues to expand and promote these choices.
“In addition to fighting food waste, reducing the amount of meat we consume is a feasible way to lessen the significant impact of our eating patterns on the environment. One easy way to achieve this is to cut out meat one day a week,” said Professor Sharon Kirkpatrick, a nutrition researcher at SPHHS. “Planning plant-based menus can also provide an incentive for families and friends to come together to prepare and enjoy meals.”
Meatless Monday was originally introduced by the U.S. government as a means of conserving resources during the First and Second World Wars. In 2003, it was revived in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Monday Campaigns to support the health of both the population and the planet.
About the School of Public Health and Health Systems
SPHHS is dedicated to confronting the major health challenges of our generation, which include the impacts of our dietary patterns on our health and the health of ecosystems. SPHHS is the first school of public health in Canada to endorse Meatless Mondays.
Contact
Craig Janes PhD, Director, School of Public Health and Health Systems, craig.janes@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567, ext. 39149
Sharon Kirkpatrick PhD RD, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health and Health Systems, sharon.kirkpatrick@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567, ext. 37054