Americans seeking impactful New Year's resolutions may find that revisiting the trend of reducing meat consumption, as seen in the 2010s, offers significant benefits for personal health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. During the last decade, a growing number of individuals expressed interest in plant-based diets, with many schools and hospitals adopting Meatless Monday initiatives, celebrities experimenting with veganism, and venture capitalists investing heavily in plant-based meat alternatives like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.

This shift was driven by increasing awareness of the potential health risks associated with high meat consumption, which averages over 200 pounds per person annually in the United States. Undercover investigations exposing the conditions of factory farms also played a role, prompting ethical concerns about animal treatment. Furthermore, the environmental impact of animal agriculture, including greenhouse gas emissions and land usage, gained greater public attention. Kenny Torrella, a senior reporter for Vox's Future Perfect section focusing on animal welfare and the future of meat, noted that these factors collectively contributed to the rise of plant-based eating.

While the initial enthusiasm for reducing meat consumption may have waned somewhat, the underlying reasons for doing so remain relevant. Companies like New School Foods, a Toronto-based startup, continue to innovate in the plant-based sector, developing products like plant-based salmon filets that aim to replicate the taste and texture of conventional meat and fish. These advancements offer consumers more accessible and appealing options for incorporating plant-based foods into their diets.