Shaklee Distributor in Dallas suggests going meatless on Mondays.

Shaklee Distributor in Dallas suggests going meatless on Mondays.

Meatless Monday.  It has a nice sound to it, right? Going vegetarian one night a week can be good for your body and it can save you money.

First of all, going meatless is not a license to eat outrageously.  The plan is to designate one night a week to things like fresh produce and whole grains. It doesn’t have to be Monday, but we think Monday is a great day to go light.  It starts your week off on a healthy foot, setting you up to be more conscious of how you eat the rest of the week.

Meat is a great source of protein. But many cuts—especially red meat—are often high in saturated fat and calories.  Plus, it’s probably one of the most expensive item on your grocery list.  Eliminating it once a week gives your wallet a break.  And putting together a balanced vegetarian meal will encourage you to discover new ingredients you might otherwise ignore.

Here are some tips:

Bulk up on the whole grains, which give you lots of nutrients and fiber.  Try brown rice or quinoa topped with stir-fried vegetables or whole-wheat pasta with tomato sauce and baby spinach.

Add beans! What a great source of protein they are! Scatter garbanzo beans over couscous with some wilted greens (like spinach or kale), a squeeze of lemon, and some feta cheese.  Make vegetarian burritos with black beans and grilled onions and peppers.

Embrace the egg. Eggs are inexpensive and they make any vegetarian meal heartier.  Add a fried egg on top of that brown rice with vegetables we talked about above for a perfectly well-rounded meal.  Make an omelet with lots of fresh vegetables and a few chunks of goat cheese.  Use egg whites or egg substitute to reduce the fat and/or calorie content of your omelet.

-Shake it up! Using protein shakes is also a great way to go meatless and still get the nutrition you need.  I often make a Cinch shake and pour it over cereal for an evening meal that is low fat, low calorie, high fiber and vegetarian.  It is quick and simple, keeps me satisfied for the evening and I am not headed back to the kitchen for a snack later on.

Dallas Health Helpers, Shaklee Distributor in Dallas is about being healthy without drugs or synthetics. Call 214.871.9596 or email us to learn more about vitality and health.