We get that it’s hard to eat less meat – that’s why we’re giving you tips on how to eat less without saying goodbye to it entirely.

Have you ever considered going vegetarian, but found it hard to commit? We get it – and that’s why we’re giving you tips on how to eat less meat without entirely omitting it from your diet. It can take a long time to fully figure out what it is that makes your body happy. For us, we’ve found that eating less meat and eating more vegetables makes us feel healthier all-around. That said, we aren’t vegetarians – and while we fully applaud people who are, we still feel like our bodies do need some meat to function at their best. Our solution? Eating more “meat-light” meals.

In short, cooking “meat-light” isn’t all that different than what you’re probably used to- it’s the portions that change. So instead of framing a meal around meat, then adding veggies and grains, vegetables become the star. And meat? Well, it’s still there (we’re not giving it up!) but it’s more of a garnish than the main event. For example, tossing some shrimp into a pasta loaded with vegetables, or just adding half the normal amount of sausage to a baked pasta dish (pro-tip: pasta is your BFF.)

The key is balance. You need a decent amount of fat, protein and carbs, no matter what kind of food you’re consuming. For example, a plate full of vegetables may not fill you up – but, a plate full of vegetables with some creamy protein-rich white bean dip might just do the trick! Similarly, with dinners, we find our plant-based proteins with beans, nuts, and whole grains. Our sources of richness with these recipes generally comes from olive oil and parmesan!

That said, when all you’re craving is a filet of beef or some chicken? Heed the call! The best favor you can do for you or your family in that situation is try and find organic, pasture-raised, hormone-free meat. When you’re putting less of it in your diet, it’s more realistic and doable to splurge a bit on better quality meat.

So, how are we eating less meat these days? These recipes – some that have a little bit of meat, and some that have none at all.