At its core, biohacking can be seen as DIY biology – experimenting with your body to optimize performance and health. This may involve DNA tests as well as wearable technology which monitors real-time metrics like sleep and heart rate.
Some biohacks may seem straightforward, such as exercising regularly and getting enough rest. Others, however, require more extensive efforts like heat therapy or eating only during certain times of the day.
Meatless Monday
Established by Sid Lerner in 2003, Meatless Monday encourages people to reduce meat consumption on one day each week and shift towards more plant-based foods. The movement has since been adopted by organizations, schools, cities and countries worldwide; Lerner chose Monday as its launch day as research indicates that people tend to make positive changes more readily at the start of a new week – it often acts as an effective “kickoff day”.
Meatless Monday has gained international attention since its creation. Global awareness regarding the adverse health, environmental, and animal welfare consequences associated with high meat consumption and production has increased since Meatless Monday began. Meatless Monday coincided with significant developments in medicine, public health, and environmental science – such as when WHO linked meat consumption to heart disease risk as well as high greenhouse gas production; multiple articles also suggested industrial food animal production was linked with poor animal outcomes, environmental degradation, and poor human nutrition outcomes.
Meatless Monday also emerged alongside efforts to introduce and popularize veganism worldwide. For instance, in 2009 a Ghent vegetarian restaurant named Donderdag Veggiedag opened in Ghent and is widely credited with making Ghent the “veggie capital of Europe.” Additionally, Washington Post published an weekly Meatless Monday blog as part of their efforts (Kim O’Donnel).
Studies on Meatless Mondays have examined their impacts, but only a select few have assessed participants’ awareness of the health benefits and environmental impacts associated with eating meat-free, and have measured participants’ intent to decrease meat consumption. One online randomized controlled trial demonstrated that participants exposed to Meatless Monday messages were more likely to reduce meat consumption compared with those who weren’t.
Meatless Monday has garnered the backing of celebrities such as Yoko Ono, Kate Moss, Richard Branson and Bob Harper from US television show, The Biggest Loser. Additionally, public health agencies and United Nations have all advocated for the movement; their website features recipes and other resources to assist people who choose a meatless diet.
