How to Eat Less Meat and More Plants

by Lisa Drayer, CNN

(CNN) — Whether you enjoy meat on a regular basis or savor a steak once in a while, one thing is true: Many people love meat.

The average American consumes about 222 pounds of red meat and poultry per year, according to a recent estimate by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while a February 2020 report projected that global meat and poultry consumption is expected to reach 313 million metric tons in 2023.

But with meat shortages becoming a new reality, we may have no choice but to consume less meat these days. That means now is as good a time as any to try plant-based meals and snacks, which can provide health benefits at a time when we may feel increasingly vulnerable to illness.