Are Meatless Mondays still a thing or is it a forgotten food trend?

After a long weekend of indulging, you may be contemplating better choices. But, are Meatless Mondays still a thing or is it a forgotten food trend?

The alliteration is easy to remember. But, the topic doesn’t seem as prevalent in recipe posts, Instagram pictures or general conversation. Since it is Monday and dinner is looming, are Meatless Mondays still a thing? Or, has this eat more veggies movement become a forgotten food trend.

In 2003, the concept Meatless Mondays was reintroduced in a Center for Livable Future media campaign. The original idea of Meatless Mondays dates back to World War I when the FDA asked families to reduce meat consumption to aid war efforts. The new campaign targeted public health in a broader way.

According to the Meatless Monday movement, Americans can eat up to 75 pounds of meat per person, per year. By cutting out 52 days of meat, the intention is to help both the person’s individual health and also the planet. While many people, schools and restaurants still participate in this weekly effort, Meatless Monday doesn’t seem to have the same attractiveness. But why?

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When this Meatless Monday concept was reintroduced, fewer households were as food savvy as they are now. Like the retro days of meat and potatoes every night for dinner, the traditional, almost boring foods, aren’t as prevalent. Today, more and more people embrace international flavors, exotic foods and non-meat options. Vegetables are the star of the plate, not the side dish.

A clear example of people’s willingness to eat more vegetables is the vegetable spiralizer. From Sur La Table to Target, the kitchen essentials aisle has numerous vegetable spiralizer options. A bunch of sliced zucchini is boring, but zucchini noodles are fun. The fun factor will win people over every time.

While the name Meatless Monday may not be as prevalent, the idea of eating more vegetables is strong. More and more people don’t feel the need to designate Monday as the vegetable day because they are eating more vegetables throughout the week. For example, the rise in popularity of the Impossible Burger is a clear indication of people’s willingness to eat non-meat products.

Even though the willingness to eat more vegetables is there, the food itself has to taste great. The Impossible Burger wouldn’t be getting all this attention if it tasted like a piece of cardboard. No cute Meatless Monday hashtag on a recipe can make a poor recipe taste better. Good for you food and good food can be the same thing.

Next: Have you tried avocado fries?

While people may not be abstaining from meat just on Mondays, many people are increasing their vegetable and non-meat alternatives. Are Meatless Mondays still a thing? I don’t think so, but the concept isn’t a forgotten food trend either. What’s served your Monday night table?

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