Eating Meat...

[dburg30]

We'll have to agree to disagree on some of that because a lot of it is 'may cause' or 'possibly attributed to' type things.. And just because land isnt used for raising animals, doesnt all the sudden mean it would be just open plains or forests or anything like that. Could just as easily be the next large industrial complex. And bottom line is, eating meat of any type IN MODERATION is not bad for you. A mix of lean proteins is needed for proper nutrition, and mixing up from certain fish, to poultry, to beef to <insert tasty animal here> is good for a person. Some people cant eat certain foods because of their metabolism, others choose not to, and it's great that the farming / livestock establishment has been able to come up with ways to make sure everyone can get what they want


And then we wont even go to the 'organic is better / safer for you of the environment' ..

Any way, back to training

 

[t_daniels]

We'll have to agree to disagree on some of that because a lot of it is 'may cause' or 'possibly attributed to' type things.. And just because land isnt used for raising animals, doesnt all the sudden mean it would be just open plains or forests or anything like that. Could just as easily be the next large industrial complex. And bottom line is, eating meat of any type IN MODERATION is not bad for you. A mix of lean proteins is needed for proper nutrition, and mixing up from certain fish, to poultry, to beef to <insert tasty animal here> is good for a person. Some people cant eat certain foods because of their metabolism, others choose not to, and it's great that the farming / livestock establishment has been able to come up with ways to make sure everyone can get what they want


And then we wont even go to the 'organic is better / safer for you of the environment' ..

Any way, back to training

There are actually several different ways to get your protein that don't involve meat! Beans, tofu, almonds, soy milk, only to name a few. ^_^ No need to eat meat, actually.
And this comes from a very happy meat eater.

 

[dburg30]

There are actually several different ways to get your protein that don't involve meat! Beans, tofu, almonds, soy milk, only to name a few. ^_^ No need to eat meat, actually.
And this comes from a very happy meat eater.

Oh I know there are different ways, and I actually do a couple of them, beans and almonds, but I personally just dont buy into the whole 'it's bad for you' idea.. again, IN MODERATION.. Others have their beliefs, and I have mine.

 

[JCH]

We'll have to agree to disagree on some of that because a lot of it is 'may cause' or 'possibly attributed to' type things.. And just because land isnt used for raising animals, doesnt all the sudden mean it would be just open plains or forests or anything like that. Could just as easily be the next large industrial complex. And bottom line is, eating meat of any type IN MODERATION is not bad for you. A mix of lean proteins is needed for proper nutrition, and mixing up from certain fish, to poultry, to beef to <insert tasty animal here> is good for a person. Some people cant eat certain foods because of their metabolism, others choose not to, and it's great that the farming / livestock establishment has been able to come up with ways to make sure everyone can get what they want

And then we wont even go to the 'organic is better / safer for you of the environment' ..

Any way, back to training

If you are referring to the environmental impacts, these are statistics, not "it may lead to". Also, the fact that the land will not immediately return to it's natural state is exactly the reason that clear cutting more forest to make room for more pasture for our increasing taste for beef is a problem. We take mature forest and completely destroy it.

I am not insinuating that everyone should cut out all beef period, but cutting down is definitely something people should consider. Those who eat lean red meat once a week or less are not the problem. The problem mostly stems from those who eat fast food cheeseburgers (cheap meat) on a fairly regular basis.

Health wise, I think the statistics also stem from so much red meat being associated with cheap fast food. Those who eat a lot of fast food are the same people who eat far too much red meat, and therefore are unhealthy.

I am not a vegetarian, but I do try to choose sustainable fish and chicken over beef, and go meatless one or two days a week.

Organic versus conventional is a completely different discussion. Organic foods often need more land for the same yield, and many "organic" farming practices are not great for the environment,either. There is also so much red tape in being labeled organic that many small farmers are unable to do so, and therefore cannot charge a premium for their food that the larger companies can. It is also impossible to feed all the people in the world with current organic farming as the yield is cut. Buying local whenever possible is the best thing to do environmental, though that simply isn't possible for bananas for most of us!

 

[HootDad]

Those who eat lean red meat once a week or less are not the problem.

I read that Americans consume an average of 80 pounds of beef a year. I don't know about the rest of the world, but I think that we are about on par (or maybe we eat a bit less) with the rest of the world. I have also heard it estimated that beef production accounts for as much at 40% of all greenhouse gasses. I eat read meat an average of about once a week and I would estimate my yearly consumption at between 15-20 pounds a year. If my math is correct (I was told there would be no math!) that means that if the average consumption was cut to the level of about once a week that would cut back greenhouse gasses by about 30%!

Health wise, I think the statistics also stem from so much red meat being associated with cheap fast food. Those who eat a lot of fast food are the same people who eat far too much red meat, and therefore are unhealthy.

While this is true, it is also true that too much meat, especially red meat, is still a health issue on it's own. Ironically the most efficient way to get protein is meat - but you get the health issues along with it. Actually I take it back - as I understand the most efficient food for delivering protein is soy beans! More tofu!

Organic foods often need more land for the same yield

Admittedly eating organic is a choice my family makes because (1) we have it available and (2) we can afford it. That said, consider this - if people would eat less meat then there would be MUCH more land for growing crops.

 

[JCH]

I read that Americans consume an average of 80 pounds of beef a year. I don't know about the rest of the world, but I think that we are about on par (or maybe we eat a bit less) with the rest of the world. I have also heard it estimated that beef production accounts for as much at 40% of all greenhouse gasses. I eat read meat an average of about once a week and I would estimate my yearly consumption at between 15-20 pounds a year. If my math is correct (I was told there would be no math!) that means that if the average consumption was cut to the level of about once a week that would cut back greenhouse gasses by about 30%!

While this is true, it is also true that too much meat, especially red meat, is still a health issue on it's own. Ironically the most efficient way to get protein is meat - but you get the health issues along with it. Actually I take it back - as I understand the most efficient food for delivering protein is soy beans! More tofu!

Admittedly eating organic is a choice my family makes because (1) we have it available and (2) we can afford it. That said, consider this - if people would eat less meat then there would be MUCH more land for growing crops.

Oh, I agree with you. As I said before, it is estimated cows produce 18% of greenhouse gases. That number does not include transportations of meat, so it is very likely the overall impact is closer to 40%.

I'm not saying too much red meat on it's own isn't a health issue, just that's it's hard to separate the two, and it most likely increases the health risks a bit. 97% lean ground beef with tomato sauce and peppers over whole grain pasta is very different than a whopper.

The cheap fast food beef also leads to the overconsumption of it. If it were unavailable or more expensive, we would see an overall decrease, more grain for human consumption, lowered greenhouse gas emissions, etc. But as long as a double cheeseburger costs $1, it's not going to happen.

 

[rhondagraymond]

Why didn’t you stick to the Dukan diet if it was helping and made you feel good? I lost 24 pounds on it and I know what you mean when you say you feel really good. The Dukan diet low carb diet foods include lean meat, chicken and other poultry, fish and seafood, tofu, eggs, skimmed milk and fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables. It’s become a way of life for me now and I love it.

 

[ge0rgette2]

I did love it, but I'm a sabatoger of myself!!!!!!

Something sets me off and I blow it !! Call it low self esteem, no motivation, stress, you name it!!

 

[dburg30]

I did love it, but I'm a sabatoger of myself!!!!!!

Something sets me off and I blow it !! Call it low self esteem, no motivation, stress, you name it!!

I can so relate to this.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I've never eaten much meat, was vegetarian in high school for a bit(almost vegan did eat eggs on occasions but not milk,lactose intolerant). I also have a very normal cholesterol other than triglycerides that were slightly over the max(153) until I switched bp pills which may have contributed to that part raising about 30 points. I started fish oil and niacin on recommendation of my previous Dr. and my cholesterol dropped even more.

I don't care for red meat at all just never cared for the taste. I also had my gallbladder removed and red meats do make me uncomfortable quite a bit so I limit those. The 93/7 lean ground beef doesn't bother me as much. I don't think its just meat I think it depends on how its prepared. Other than occasional bacon a couple times a month or once or twice a year pork spare ribs I don't eat pork on the norm.

I could easily cut out all meat but just find it easier to get protein while living with an omnivore(my brother) when we eat combined meals without buying both veggie options and animal protein.