Meatless Monday: A Low-Pressure Way to Start Going Vegetarian

What the Meatless Monday Movement Is

Meatless Monday started as an international public health initiative that encourages people to go completely meat-free at least one day a week. It's simple to follow and low-pressure, which is why schools and company cafeterias in many countries have adopted it.

Why Monday

Monday marks the start of the week, which naturally carries a sense of “starting fresh.” And compared to weekends packed with group meals and gatherings, weekday meals are also easier to control on your own.

How to Get Started

• Plan your three Monday meals ahead of time—don't wait until noon to figure it out
• Start with just lunch or dinner if you like; there's no need to commit to the whole day right away
• Cook a vegetarian dish you actually enjoy, rather than settling for a bland plate of boiled vegetables

A Note for Beginners

Meatless Monday is a starting point, not a finish line. After a few weeks, consider expanding to two or three days a week. Things go more smoothly if a coworker or family member joins in with you—reminding each other and swapping recipes not only keeps you motivated, it also turns Meatless Monday into something light and fun rather than a solo grind. If your workplace or school cafeteria seems open to it, don't hesitate to suggest promoting Meatless Monday there—many institutional cafeterias are actually quite receptive to this kind of initiative.