Why Are Americans Eating Less Meat?

Whether you live in the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, the California coast or anywhere in between, vegetarians and vegans are in the minority. Americans are known as the people who eat more meat than anyone else in the world. In fact, according to some stats that The New York Times writer, Mark Bittman, found, the American diet consists of one-sixth of the world’s meat consumption, even though we’re less than one-twentieth of the population. Whoa…that’s a mouthful! He suggests that this is changing because by the end of 2012, the department of agriculture estimates that Americans will consume 12.2% less meat and poultry than we were back in 2007.

Is this cause for celebration for vegetarians, vegans, or flexitarians, those who opt for a plant-based diet at least one day a week or longer? Will environmentalists start patting themselves on the back for spreading information about the environmental degradation that is caused by eating meat and it’s by-products? Perhaps…but maybe not quite yet.

Whether Americans are turning away from meat because the prices are too high or because they're actively reducing their meat consumption for, what Bittman calls, “all the right reasons,” this is certainly a positive move and a conscious effort. As Bittman says, if expense is the main problem, then they could choose to sacrifice something else. Still, government policy still subsidizes corn and soy for livestock feed, gives ranchers close to a free pass when it comes to environmental degradation and animal abuse, an unwillingness to limit antibiotics in animal feed, and a refusal to recommend that Americans eat less meat. Until these policies change, especially the latter, many people will out right refuse to consider increasing the vegetable-based foods in their diet.

That said, we have to agree with Bittman’s conclusion. The 12%reduction IS significant for our bodies, the environment, and for the well-being of animals, and if the trend continues over the next five years, then the only people who will be complaining will be those in the meat industry. Until then, make tonight a night of veggies, beans or tofu, and whole grains with the seemingly-indulgent treat of Soyummi pudding for dessert!

Posted in: Food Talks
Tags: american diet meat consumption flexitarians

Name (required)

E-mail (required)

URL

Are you human? (required)
(please write "YES" above so we know you're not a spam robot)

Your Comment