When Americans think of a meal, they tend to think of some kind of meat, a starchy side – like potatoes or corn – and some sort of vegetable, be it a salad or coleslaw. We were raised with this idea that meat is a main course, while the veggies are just compliments. But given the nutritional value of meat, and its contribution to people’s cholesterol levels which in turn raises the levels of low density lipoproteins which has been attributed to both heart attack and stroke, perhaps Foothill College got it right. 

Foothill College is already partaking in “Meatless Monday,” a global movement to raise awareness of the meat industry, the effects on health, and one’s wallet. Perhaps De Anza should implement Meatless Mondays too.

Yes, meat has protein, but so do many non-meat alternatives such as soy, rice and beans and wheat and peanuts. Red meat has also been shown by the American Heart Association to have links to cancer and heart disease – the number one disease in the U.S. Sadly, unless someone took a nutrition class or researched the curiosities of the meat industry, one wouldn’t likely know all of this. Meatless Mondays do more than limit our cafeteria selection, they raise awareness.

According to the Monday Campaigns Inc., the people behind Meatless Mondays, habits started on a Monday are more likely to become long-term. 

Once you kick the meat, you’ll save money by not grabbing that quarter-pounder from the meat section every week, and by eliminating your healthcare spending. They also say you will save the planet. 

Monday Campaigns Inc. has estimated that a single pound of beef requires 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water to be created, and the meat industry is responsible for 1/5 of man-made greenhouse gases, which are accelerating climate change. 

Plus, have you ever driven by the pungent Harris Ranch? What a smell. I feel sorry for those cows!

Sponsoring or participating in this campaign won’t mean guilt-tripping students into being vegetarians, but rather encouraging those who are willing to try, and making it easier for them to explore alternative diets by providing recipes and meals.

Foothill has received great feedback from the program so far. Monday Campaigns Inc. has said 90 to 95 percent of the students liked what they ate and more than 200 students signed a pledge to cut back on meat. The cafeteria provides new alternatives to the menu on Mondays with a free drink for anyone who buys a meatless item. That’s right, even on Meatless Mondays you can still buy a burger.

So, how about it De Anza? You’ll have a chance to save a student’s life by reducing their risk to Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease. You’ll also keep more of your money in the process.