Meet Longtime Meatless Monday Ambassador, Sharon Palmer

Sharon Palmer is a Registered Dietitian (RDN) and author of the books, The Plant-Powered Diet and Plant-Powered for Life, and has been an advocate for Meatless Monday throughout the years. In her words: “This approach to plant-based eating is achievable for anyone, from families to schools to organizations to communities. If you can start the week off right with a plant-based diet, you can make a serious cut in your saturated fat intake and carbon footprint, and an increase in your antioxidant and fiber intake.”

We spoke to Sharon about Meatless Monday and how to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.

How can you start to increase your vegetable intake?

I’m a huge advocate of Meatless Monday! It’s an easy, weekly way to fall in love with vegetables. I don’t do a talk without including Meatless Monday. My philosophy is that everyone can eat a more plant-based diet. Veganism may not appeal to everyone, but going plant-based one day a week is something everyone can do.

As you take on this simple strategy of eating plant-based just one day a week, you will realize how delicious and easy it is to plan a day around plants in all their glory—colorful vegetables, sweet seasonal fruits, fragrant herbs and spices, earthy beans, crunchy whole grains, and savory nuts.

You’ll learn to fall in love with plants, and find your way down the path of plant-based eating. Look for creative ways to add vegetables to your daily routine. I love edamame or snow peas as a snack, and a lot of cultures even eat vegetables for breakfast!

Can you get enough protein without meat?

When you eat a healthy plant-based diet, you are actually getting protein from all kinds of food sources! It’s not just in those specific protein-rich foods—you get protein from many whole plant foods, such as vegetables and whole grains. That’s why I have continue to be an advocate for Meatless Monday, as this approach to plant-based eating is achievable for anyone, from families and schools to organizations and communities.

We do need protein, but not in the proportions we typically get from the American/Western Diet. You can go Meatless Monday and still get plenty of protein.

Legumes (really protein-rich beans, lentils, and soy foods), almonds, peanuts, and pistachios are some of the plants that provide the most protein

The health benefits of changing your diet don’t necessarily come from what you DON’T eat, but from what you DO eat. When you eat plant-based, it’s not just that you aren’t eating meat, it’s that you ARE eating a lot of good things. Meals are now packed with nutrition from whole plant foods. A healthy diet has to be something sustainable, something you can feel happy about and enjoy!

Join Sharon, and the millions of people around the world who participate in Meatless Monday one day a week, for your health and the health of the planet. To find out more, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!

Palmer shared a fall recipe featuring Brussels sprouts, cranberries and maple syrup.

Maple and Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If you make this recipe, post a photo, tagging us @MeatlessMonday and using #MeatlessMonday.