"While eating meat a few days a week can be a healthy part of your diet, most Americans eat much more than the USDA recommends," says Robert Lawrence, M.D., director of the Center for a Livable Future (CLF). According to CLF, the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show that men in the United States consume as much as 190 percent of their recommended daily allowance of protein while women eat as much as 160 percent. Americans derive the majority of their protein from meat and other animal sources.

Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat can improve your health. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, appointed by the Departments of Health and Agriculture, stated that people who eat more fruits and vegetables, "as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancers in certain sites."

The Johns Hopkins Hospital's dining services are managed by Sodexo Inc., and the Cobblestone Caf?© serves about 1,800 customers a day. "Meatless Monday provides a healthy and tasty alternative for people looking for healthy diet change." says Johns Hopkins Hospital Food Service Director Leo Dorsey.

SOURCE Johns Hopkins Hospital