One of the main staples of good health and a successful weight loss plan is a well-balanced diet. Such a diet includes a variety of essential nutrients in adequate proportions. Although meat is often an important part of a diet, there are many people who avoid it.
Most of the time, such people follow either vegetarian or vegan diets. These diets can require more effort, and without some planning, may cause serious health problems in the long term. However, in some cases, it can be very rewarding, and there is evidence that adopting such a lifestyle leads to weight loss and reduced risk of chronic disease (17).
But you don’t necessarily have to go vegetarian or vegan and stop eating meat forever if you want to shed a few pounds. For such cases, there is a special no-meat diet for 30 days that may be a great option and you can use this experience as an initiation phase for easier integration in the future. You can even utilize this strategy when you want to experience the benefits of cutting out meat for some time.
Read on to find out more about the health benefits of meat, a no-meat diet for 30 days results, and a no-meat diet plan for 30 days.
A no-meat diet for 30 days is a month-long nutrition plan that excludes the consumption of meat. Unlike previously mentioned vegetarian and vegan diets, a no-meat diet for 30 days allows you to eat fish and animal-source products, such as eggs, dairy products, honey, and others if you choose, making it more achievable and balanced.
You need to make sure that you consume an adequate amount of protein throughout the whole course of this diet, as meat is one of the main sources of this macronutrient in your regular diet.
If weight loss is your goal, your no-meat diet plan for 30 days should include calorie restriction. Your calorie goal will be dependent on your initial energy requirements. The process of knowing how much restriction is needed is mentioned below:
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The answer to this question is pretty obvious. You should exclude all types of meat and meat products from your menu, including the following (13):
This type of meat is of mammal origin and contains more iron-rich protein myoglobin than white meat. You can include red meat on your menu after you’re finished with the no-meat diet, but the UK NHS recommends you cut its consumption to 70g (around 2.5 oz) a day for general health (12). Examples of red meat include beef, pork, lamb, veal, goat, and game, such as bison, elk, and venison.
White meat is considered heart-healthier than red meat and often appears as a part of a weight loss diet. It is lighter in color than red meat and comes from small game and birds, such as chicken, turkey, duck, goose, and wild birds.
Processed meat is the least healthy meat, as it goes through preparation processes including salting, curing, smoking, drying, or other methods to enhance its flavor and increase its shelf life. It also tends to be high in saturated fat and sodium. Examples include bacon, hot dogs, sausage, jerky, salami, pastrami, and bologna.
This nutritional plan is significantly less restrictive than becoming a vegetarian or vegan, so it’s easier to make sure you get all the essential nutrients when following a no-meat diet for 30 days.
As this dietary plan is somewhat similar to vegan or vegetarian plans, you can stick to their plans, in addition to consuming some of the foods that are forbidden by them. Here are the main nutrients that are present in meat, and alternative food sources where they can be found (18):
As meat is often the main protein provider in your diet, you’ll need to find other rich sources of it. You can consume protein with dairy products, eggs, and fish and seafood, or consume plant-based protein. Rich plant sources of protein include soy products (tofu, tempeh, edamame), lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, almonds, spirulina, quinoa, chia, hemp seeds, and beans with rice, potatoes, and others (16). Make sure you include a variety of plant-based proteins to get all the essential amino acids.
Iron is also incredibly important for the proper functioning of your body and often appears in your menu in the form of red meat. Luckily, there also are other sources of iron that you can and should include in your diet. These foods include beans and other legumes, dark leafy greens, seeds and nuts, and whole grains (9).
You already know that calcium plays one of the main roles in your bone health, which is why you should consume a proper amount of it every day. One of the best sources of calcium is milk and dairy products. You can also find calcium in foods such as sardines and salmon, fortified dairy alternatives, tofu, green leafy vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals and fruit juices, nuts and seeds, legumes, and grains. (3).
Another mineral that is essential for your body and comes mainly from animal products is zinc. You can get your daily dose of zinc from seafood, eggs, dairy, soy products, beans, and nuts.
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in red blood cell production. In addition to being found in meat, it is present in eggs and milk, certain fortified cereals, fortified plant-based milk, and nutritional yeast.
To figure out whether you should follow a no-meat diet for 30 days and start cutting out red meat or avoid all types of meat, you should first answer the question “Is meat good for you?”. Of course, meat consumption has its health benefits, so let’s look at the nutritional value of meat and what it has to offer you.
A 100g (3.5oz) serving of lean beef contains the following nutrients (2):
Calories: 205
Protein: 26.66g
Fats: 10.06g, of which saturated – 3.85g, monounsaturated – 5.22g, polyunsaturated – 0.36g
Carbs: 0g
It also contains micronutrients such as iron, zinc, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin, vitamins B6, B12, and others.
The same portion of grilled chicken filet offers you the following (4):
Calories: 145
Protein: 22.24g
Fats: 5.2g, of which saturated – 0.84g, monounsaturated – 2.64g, polyunsaturated – 1.27g
Carbs: 2.37g
As you can see, chicken is lower in calories and fat, so it is therefore often recommended for a weight loss diet. Both meats are a great source of protein and contain other vital nutrients.
Read more: How to Make the Perfect Keto Taco With Multiple Stuffings, Shells, and Meats Variations
Here are the main benefits that meat can provide you with (13):
Meat is packed with protein and high-protein diets that include meat may increase your metabolic rate, suppress your appetite, and prolong the feeling of satiety. However, plant-based protein can do the same.
Animal protein may add to your bone health by improving bone density and strength. Another component that is found in meat and also promotes better bone health is phosphorus, while dairy products are rich in calcium. There are also plant-based sources of these nutrients.
Animal protein is a great option for those who are trying to burn fat while preserving their muscle mass. In addition, protein can help maintain your muscles while promoting their growth when combined with strength training (15). Plant-based protein is also a great option.
Meat contains heme iron that your body absorbs better than non-heme iron, which comes from plants. Eating something that is rich in vitamin C along with your plant-based iron source can help improve its absorption, but it won’t be absorbed as well as heme-iron.
The consumption of meat allows you to experience the above benefits, but there are some things you can do to maximize all the benefits of meat and reduce its negative effects. Here are some recommendations on how to do this:
Now you know the benefits of meat consumption, it’s time to look at the other side of and check out the benefits of not eating meat. So, what happens to your body when you give up meat?
This knowledge will help you determine what is more important to you and whether you should avoid eating meat for a month, or side with meat lovers and enjoy a juicy steak this evening. Here are the main benefits of not eating meat:
Compared to its plant-based alternatives, meat is quite high in calories and fat (14). Decreasing meat consumption will reduce your daily energy intake, thereby promoting weight loss.
Inflammation affects every aspect of your health and can cause various diseases. If you avoid eating meat for a month, you may notice a decrease in your overall inflammatory markers. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of plant-based foods you consume instead of meat (6). They’re rich in fiber and antioxidants and low in saturated fats.
Following a no-meat diet for 30 days may positively affect your cholesterol levels. High levels of blood cholesterol increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and increased consumption of meat, which contains a considerable amount of saturated fats, may increase the cholesterol level in your blood. Sticking to a plant-based diet may lower your cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the chance of heart disease (8).
Your microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms and bacteria, many of which play a prominent role in the digestion process. Meat products may promote pathogenic bacteria growth. However, following a plant-based diet tends to promote healthy bacteria, which improves the microbiome’s health.
Your diet can be your enemy or savior when it comes to the risk of various diseases. Diets that are high in red and processed meats may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (7) due to their ability to worsen inflammation, cause weight gain, and impair the way the insulin functions. Therefore, avoiding meat may decrease the risk of developing certain diseases.
Another benefit of not eating meat is the reduced risk of certain types of cancer. Plant-based diets are rich in antioxidants, which may have protective effects, while high red and processed meat intake is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.
Transitioning into a no-meat diet requires effort, planning, and commitment. To make it easier, we’ve compiled a list of a few hacks:
Utmost commitment is essential for embracing such a drastic lifestyle change. It is important to clearly define your motivations and set realistic goals.
Planning meals in advance will ensure you’re prepared, as well as assuring a well-balanced and satisfying plant-based menu. Make sure to create weekly meal plans, explore new recipes, and stock up on plant-based staples.
Mindfulness in food choices fosters a deeper connection with your plant-based journey. Don’t torture yourself! It’s not fun to scroll through Instagram and see a juicy steak or burger when you’re only a week into your diet.
Be aware of your nutritional needs, explore diverse plant foods such as vegetarian snacks with protein, plant-based smoothies, etc, and choose nutritious options.
To prevent failure, it’s best to ease into the no-meat plan. Gradual adoption helps the body and mind adjust comfortably. As a tip, start with one or two plant-based meals a day and progressively increase.
Talk, complain, and share with your close ones— it’s always best to speak about your journey. Sharing your experience will foster support and accountability. Discuss your plant-based goals with friends and family or join online communities to get valuable insights and encouragement. (11)
When it comes to weight loss, progress is made by inches, not miles, so it’s much harder to track and a lot easier to give up. BetterMe app is your personal trainer, nutritionist and support system all in one. Start using our app to stay on track and hold yourself accountable!
Here is a sample of a no-meat diet plan that you can follow for 7 days: (1)
1 serving strawberry-banana green smoothie
2 tbsp. unsalted almonds
1 serving Greek Salad with edamame
1 plum
1 serving roasted vegetable and black bean tacos
3/4 cup frosted grapes
Daily Totals: 1,216 calories, 50 g protein, 143 g carbohydrate, 33 g fiber, 57 g fat, 967 mg sodium.
1 serving egg salad and avocado toast
1/2 cup raspberries
1 serving Greek Salad with edamame
1 large hard-boiled egg seasoned with a pinch each salt and pepper
2 servings kale salad with beets and wild rice
1 slice whole-wheat toast topped with 1/4 avocado, mashed, and seasoned with a pinch each salt and pepper
Daily Totals: 1,180 calories, 53 g protein, 98 g carbohydrate, 31 g fiber, 70 g fat, 1,986 mg sodium.
1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup raspberries
2 tbsp. unsalted almonds
1 cup sliced cucumber with 1 tbsp. sherry-shallot vinaigrette
2 servings leftover kale salad with beets and wild rice
1/2 cup raspberries
1 serving roasted root vegetables and greens over spiced lentils
Daily Totals: 1,199 calories, 60 g protein, 113 g carbohydrates, 30 g fiber, 61 g fat, 1,187 mg sodium.
1 serving strawberry-banana green smoothie
1 large hard-boiled egg seasoned with a pinch each of salt and pepper
1 serving green salad with pita bread and hummus
1 plum
1 serving spaghetti squash with roasted tomatoes, beans, and almond pesto
Daily Totals: 1,200 calories, 52 g protein, 146 g carbohydrate, 30 g fiber, 53 g fat, 1,592 mg sodium.
1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup raspberries
2 tbsp. unsalted almonds
1 plum
1 serving slow-cooker creamy lentil soup
3/4 cup sliced carrots
3 tbsp. hummus
2 3/4 cup tofu and vegetable scramble
3/4 cup frosted grapes
Daily Totals: 1,215 calories, 80 g protein, 131 g carbohydrate, 32 g fiber, 47 g fat, 1,530 mg sodium.
1 serving egg salad avocado toast
2 tbsp. almonds
1 serving green salad with pita bread and hummus
1 hard-boiled egg seasoned with a pinch each salt and pepper
1 serving squash and red lentil curry
2 cups mixed greens tossed with 1 tbsp. sherry-shallot vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,214 calories, 50 g protein, 124 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 64 g fat, 2,281 mg sodium.
1 serving strawberry-banana green smoothie
2 plums
1 serving leftover slow-cooker creamy lentil soup
1/2 cup raspberries
2 Tbsp. almonds
1 serving raw vegan zoodles with romesco
3/4 cup canned cannellini beans, rinsed
2 cups mixed greens tossed with 1 tbsp. sherry-shallot vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,195 calories, 60 g protein, 157 g carbohydrate, 42 g fiber, 46 g fat, 1,482 mg sodium.
Read more: Your Guide to Cauliflower Steak: The Perfect Meatless Dish for Meat Lovers
In a normal omnivorous diet, meat is digested in around 12 or 48 hours, just like everything else (10).
There is a high possibility that you will lose weight if you stop eating meat while following a healthy diet and leading an active lifestyle (19).
Not eating meat for 30 days can have both positive and negative outcomes. The are likely to the following forms:
Environmental and Ethical Awareness: A meat-free month may heighten awareness of environmental and ethical considerations linked to meat consumption.
Yes, you can most certainly lose weight by not eating meat for a month. This occurs due to a reduced caloric intake, fewer saturated fats, higher fiber intake, and increased focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods — all of which are conducive to weight loss.
You can replace meat with a variety of plant-based options such as tofu, tempeh, legumes, beans, lentils, mushrooms, and plant-based protein sources like seitan and edamame. These alternatives offer protein, essential nutrients, and diverse flavors for a well-balanced diet.
It is solely your choice whether to consume meat or not. If you want to experience the benefits of not eating meat or are considering becoming a vegetarian and want to try if that is your thing, you can try following a no meat diet for 30 days. If you feel like meat plays a very important role in your diet, and you would like to keep eating meat, know that there is nothing wrong with that, but a balanced diet with a broad variety of food is always better. However, remember, that before making any modifications in your nutritional plan you should consult a dietitian.
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