Try reducing your meat intake

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Understand the health, environmental, and ethical benefits of cutting down on meat – it really does make a huge difference. Not sure if it’s for you? That is completely understandable. Eating meat can be a habit and perceived easy option for many, and it might be something that has been the norm for you and your family for a long time.

There has long been a misconception that eating a more plant-focused diet results in less nutrients. However, from a health perspective, adopting a more vegetarian or ‘plant-focused’ diet:

Reduces the risk of heart disease by 25 per cent
Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by 50 per cent
Reduces cancer risk by 10-15 per cent
Increases fibre intake
Decreases saturated fat intake
Increases intake of essential vitamins and minerals

... among other health benefits.

As of 2024, there are approximately 3.1 million adults in the UK, or 5.8 per cent of the population, identify as vegetarians. A recent study also revealed that 48 per cent of the UK have reduced their meat intake, with a fifth purchasing plant-based meal alternatives at least once a week. Additionally, a study of over 94,000 meal choices found that doubling the availability of vegetarian options increased non-meat meals purchased by 40-80 per cent.

And from a cost perspective, there’s some good news too: vegetarian diets can actually be 10-20 per cent cheaper than meat-heavy diets, especially with the prioritisation of seasonal produce and legumes. From an environmental point of view, did you know that to produce 1 kg of beef requires 15,000 litres of water? Vegetarian diets typically require 5 times less land and 6 times less water than meat-rich diets.

So, why not start by introducing more vegetarian meals into your diet? It’s a great way to test the waters without making a drastic change all at once. You’ll be surprised by how many tasty, healthy, and ethical veggie options are available.

Next steps

Recipe Resources: Good Food Oxfordshire offers a wealth of vegetarian recipes to inspire your meals. Check out their Cooking Toolkit and recipe videos on social media, which all focus on nutrition and incorporating more plants into your diet.

Community Support: The Oxfordshire Vegans and Vegetarians Meetup is a great place to connect with others, share ideas, and discover local vegetarian-friendly venues.

Cooking and Growing: Replenish Oxfordshire offers workshops and resources to help you cook and grow healthy, sustainable food. You can also find some cooking classes across Oxfordshire by using Good Food Oxfordshire’s Community Map and choosing the filter ‘Cooking Activity’.

Local Markets: Find fresh, seasonal produce at Oxfordshire’s local markets. Visit Good Food Oxfordshire’s market page for a list of options.

Further Support: If you’re in need of some hands-on support (or simply an amazing day out with friends, or making new ones, all whilst learning some skills and recipes!) then the Vegetarian Society has a range of cookery courses based at their brand new premises in Manchester. Visit the Cookery School today!