Opinion | We must embrace Bristol University's Meat-Free Monday initiative

By Natalie Beddows, Second Year English

In 2009, Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney launched the campaign ‘Meat Free Monday’ to draw attention to the harmful effects that meat consumption and production has on the planet and our health.  And now, vegetarianism and veganism have become part of our culture and everyday lives, and it is increasing at an extremely fast pace.

As part of this, ‘Meat Free Mondays’ have become a popular and easy way of cutting down on meat intake and incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet for at least one day a week.

Earlier in the year, the University of Bristol declared a climate emergency and, as a result, introduced their first ‘Meat Free Monday’ on September 23rd in catered halls and the Balloon Bar at the SU. As an alternative to meat, students will be served a variety of vegan and vegetarian meat substitutes including tofu and jackfruit.  

‘Meat Free Mondays’ offer many opportunities to discover new vegetarian and vegan foods, instead of eating the typical plate of meat, potatoes and gravy (especially in university halls when the expectation of the food isn’t always great). For one day a week this creates diversity in your diet and opens many new opportunities to try new foods , such as a seitan burger.

Meat Free Mondays offer opportunities to discover new vegetarian and vegan foods

Not only do ‘Meat Free Mondays’ encourage people to explore new foods but eating a diet with a lower meat consumption renders many health benefits.

For example, it is well known that red meats can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases, and so not eating meat for one day a week could decrease a person’s risk of this. Also, including more plant-based and vegetarian foods within a diet provides fibre and many nutrients and minerals that are not usually available in meat products that will benefit your health.

Meat Free Mondays have a wider positive impact on the planet

Now that the University of Bristol has introduced ‘Meat Free Mondays’ to catered halls, students will be able to explore new foods that will also benefit their health within their residence.

Of course, not eating meat doesn’t just benefit our health; ‘Meat Free Mondays’ also have a wider positive impact on the planet.  Vegan and vegetarian meals  have a lower carbon footprint than those containing meat as meat production increases greenhouse gases harming the environment. By cutting meat out of your diet for one day of the week you can hugely impact the planet positively by minimising your carbon footprint and reducing pollution, as well as conserving the environment and slowing global warming.  

We can raise awareness about health, environmental and cost benefits

Meat-free meals are also generally lower cost, particularly benefiting students on a budget as plant-based foods are more widely available and cheaper to produce.

By amplifying the message about ‘Meat Free Mondays’ through the University's initiative, we can raise awareness about the health, environmental, and cost benefits of eating meat-free for at least one day a week.

Featured: Epigram/Emma Bayley-Melendez

Do you think that Meat-Free Mondays on campus is a good idea? Let us know