Introduction to Transition & Reduction Methods
Reducing the consumption of meat and other animal products also yields important results (the greater the reduction, the better). Ideally, these methods are a transition to all plant-based but some choose reduction as an end in itself. We strongly encourage veganism, but the greater the reduction, the greater the benefits.
Side Dish – Instead of having meat as a main dish, decrease your portion to side-dish size and promote your veggies to the main course.
Condiment – Take the ‘Side Dish’ concept to the next level, by using meat and/or animal products very sparingly similar to condiments.
Days – Pick a day or days to be vegetarian (or better yet vegan). Meatout Mondays is a great start, but don’t stop there… the more days the better.
Times – Pick a time of day and/or particular meals to focus on. Example: Mark Bittman’s Vegan Before 6pm.
Meals – Pick a meal or meals to be vegetarian (or better yet vegan). Whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’ll be doing making great change for you and your family.
Visitors – The ‘Visitors’ method can work either way. Be vegetarian except when you visit other people or except when people visit you.
Dining Out – If you’re a ‘Dining Out Reducetarian,’ you are vegetarian/vegan in your home, but not when you dine out. This has the advantage of providing more options at restaurants, but the down-side is that the meat often comes from the most cruel and destructive factory farming systems (> 98%), and the restaurants don’t realize there’s high demand for vegetarian/vegan options.
Dining In – Some people choose to eat meat and/or animal products at home, where they can make more socially-conscious food choices. Since the vast majority of farming is intensive (with harsh consequence for animals, the environment and health), vegetarian/vegan options are chosen outside of the home. Warning though, many humane-labeled foods are misleading.
Percentage – This option is great for its flexibility. Choose a percentage of vegan and use that as your guide. For example, you can start at 50%. As that becomes more comfortable, considering increasing to 75%, 80%, 90%, or more.
Imperfectly Ideal – Don’t want to get caught up in labels, but want to do the most good? Be an imperfect vegan. It’s not about perfection or catching every last ingredient. With or without the label, adopt good practices and enjoy the process. Want more on this topic? Read Ingredients vs. Activism.