11 easy ways to eat less meat

A vegetarian diet may help you stay slim, improve your cholesterol levels and decrease your risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, too. In fact, National Geographic Fellow and author Dan Buettner determined five communities with the highest life expectancy, and called them Blue Zones. Buettner found that the people living within these communities were eating meat—usually pork—only five times per month, and loading their plates with plant-based foods instead.

If you’re thinking about adopting a plant-based diet, here’s what you need to know to ensure you’re getting the proper nutrients.