An increasingly popular way of eating called reducetarianism may sound like a new weight loss trend. But that’s not the goal; instead, reducetarianism is about cutting down the amount of meat you eat and making small changes that are healthy for you and the planet. “But the vast majority don’t want to go vegan”, says Brian Kateman, co-founder of the Reducetarian Foundation. So he has a simple message for us: “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.” Compared with a vegetarian, reducetarians take a more flexible approach that acknowledges challenges of giving up meat entirely but still limits meat when possible.

The opposite side of eating less meat is eating more plant foods. Animal products often replace fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, leading to lack of nutrients from them. A more plant-based diet can help lower the risk of health problems including heart disease, colon cancer, and obesity. And research shows the climate toll from raising plant-based foods is less than that caused by animal-based foods. This is largely because it takes much more land, water, and other resources to produce a pound of meat than plant protein, says Dana Ellis, a dietitian.

The type of meat you buy matters too. Grass-fed meat—from animals raised without antibiotics (抗生素)—tend to be the more sustainable options. By grazing, cows encourage grass growth and nutrient turnover in the soil, which may help offset cattle’s climate impact, according to a study published in 2021.

Looking for local produce that requires no air transport and cutting down the food waste are also significant aspects of being a reducetarian. The message of reducetarianism is that you don’t have to be perfect to help yourself and the planet by making small changes in how you eat and shop for food. And that’s something we all can accomplish.

【小题1】What does reducetarianism refer to?

A．A novel weight loss trend.	B．A healthy diet with little meat.
C．An idea of accepting imperfection.	D．An approach to being a vegetarian.

【小题2】Why should eating more plant foods be encouraged?

A．It helps to free people from diseases.

B．It guarantees all the nutrients needed.

C．It allows people to obtain more protein.

D．It causes less damage to the environment.

【小题3】Who is more likely to be a reducetarian according to the passage?

A．A meat lover	B．A cow raiser.
C．A keen environmentalist.	D．A devoted vegetarian.

【小题4】What conclusion can be drawn from the last paragraph?

A．Local produce can offer more nutrition.

B．Reducetarianism is something imperfect.

C．Any amount of food waste should be avoided.

D．Small changes in diet better man and the earth.