Where’s the beef in Americans’ diets?  According to the USDA, we’re eating less meat these days- and that decline is expected to continue.  More than a third of U.S. households ate less meat and poultry last year, for both health and financial reasons.  Instead, Americans are choosing vegetarian protein sources like tofu, lentils, beans, soy, nuts and eggs, as well as fish.  And an increasing number of veggie-friendly options are popping up on menus at restaurants around the country.  Some credit the Meatless Monday movement, backed by celebs like Oprah and Gwyneth Paltrow, which encourages families to have one day of meat-free meals per week.

This trend is not as new as the media would like you to think. Even though we grew up in "meat and potatoes" households, we've been  eating meat only once a day, and no meat a couple of days a week for quite a few years!   Pancakes, rice and vegetables (like steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots),and  baked potatoes make good and healthy meals.

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