Meat Free May: Cut out the meat and go cold turkey for Friends of the Earth

If you’ve been toying with the idea of cutting down on meat, now’s the time to embrace vegetarism...

Golden halloumi, lemon & pear salad​ from gousto.co.uk

Meat Free May was launched three years ago by Friends of the Earth to raise awareness about the effects of our insatiable appetite for meat and fish on the planet and our health.

Vegetarian diets are lower in saturated fat, which is good news for your waistline, and cheaper, too – meaning this 31-day challenge will pay dividends for you as well as the Earth.

National Vegetarian Week also falls this month, from May 16-22, so our social media feeds will be full of recipes and video tutorials, helping to make May the perfect month to cut down on meat feasts.

Three reasons to take part in Meat Free May

It’s better for your health

Consumers cut down on red meat after reports linking it to cancer, often replacing it with chicken, which now accounts for half the meat eaten in the UK. However, a new study has revealed that chicken can contain as much fat, gram for gram, as a Big Mac.

It’s better for animals

Factory farming was introduced to meet the increased demand of our twice-a-day meat habit. If we ate less, farmers would be able to raise animals more slowly and humanely, and we could afford to buy better quality meat, but less often. 

It’s better for the environment

Intensive farming systems contribute more to climate change than all forms of transport put together, as highlighted in Leonardo DiCaprio’s Cowspiracy, the Netflix documentary that has achieved cult status.

Food chain Pret revealed in April that demand for its vegetarian products was rising faster than meat-based ones, and launched its "Not Just For Veggies" campaign to promote the idea that you don't need to be vegetarian to enjoy their expanding meat-free range.

Other fast-food restaurants such as Leon and Eat, and supermarkets, including Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, also offer great vegetarian selections, so that's lunchtimes sorted out.

For the evening, vegetable boxes delivered to your door that include simple recipe cards and the ingredients can be one of the easiest ways to experiment with dishes that are rich in colour, taste and texture. Most suppliers offer new-joiner discounts and the option to cancel your subscription with only a couple of days’ notice.

So what have you got to lose, apart from a few pounds on the scales, while keeping a few more in your wallet?

If you want to carry on throughout the year, but aren't sure if you want to go full-time vegetarian, why not try meat-free Mondays, a concept launched in the US in 2003 which was backed in Britain by Sir Paul McCartney in 2009. He even has a website dedicated to inspiring people who want to make a difference all year round.

FIVE VEGETABLE BOX SCHEMES​

Abel & Cole

Delivering food boxes for over 27 years, Abel & Cole is one of the best known organic boxes. The My Veggie Recipe Box provides everything you need for four meals for two people, to kick-start Meat-Free May, for £33. abelandcole.co.uk

Riverford

'Live life on the veg' is the strapline of this award-winning box scheme which offers recipes ideas such as scrambled tofu tacos, chard and sheep's cheese pie and aubergine involtini. £33.95 for three meals for two people, £58 for four people. riverford.co.uk

HelloFresh

New kids on the block, HelloFresh meals take under half an hour to prepare, and the team have worked with Jamie Oliver to come up with interesting recipes that will help you shake up your routine. £36 for three meals for two people or £57 for four people. hellofresh.co.uk

MarleySpoon

Marley Spoon claims its boxes are cheaper than shopping in a supermarket. Choose a two-person box (£48) or five-person box (£69.60) for up to four nights a week and receive and select the recipes that most appeal to you each week via email. marleyspoon.co.uk

Gousto

Choose your preferred recipes from a weekly offering of 10 international recipes, such as baked Mexican bean parcels or two-lentil dal with spiced aubergine, and the guys at Gousto promise you will achieve gastronomic greatness up to four times a week. Four recipes for two people - £41.99; 4 recipes for 4 people - £59.99 per week. gousto.co.uk

Lizzie is the author of London's ethical food website,bicbim.co.uk. Follow her on Twitter @LizzieRivs and @bicbim.