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AIBU?

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Original poster

How much meat do you eat?

379 replies

lanya · 16/05/2024 16:01

Recently I've noticed in my circles that pretty much everyone is cutting back on meat due to environmental/ climate reasons.

Most people I know aren't vegetarian, but are more aware/ more careful about the amount they eat, e.g. only once or twice per week.

I am wondering whether this is the case generally across the UK, or if most people are carrying on as normal?

YABU: We are eating the same amount of meat as we always have.
YANBU: We have reduced our meat intake over the last few years for climate reasons.

Disclaimer: This isn't any kind of brag or meant to be condescending - I'm just curious.

OP posts:
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SpongeBob2022 · 16/05/2024 17:21

Breakfast - never
Lunch - once or twice a week (tuna)
Dinners - probably average 4 days a week. (Beef bolognese on two days, fish fingers once a week and maybe some chicken another day).

Been like this for a few years. Reasons why:
Ease of veggie meals
Not fussed about taste of most meat (but could never give it up altogether)
Cost
Health (also rarely eat sausage/bacon)

DS eats with me but DH eats separately and eats meat for most dinners.

I eat quite small portions of meat as well. I am prone to low iron and I thing I'd find trying to address this quite labour intensive as a veggie or vegan.

I don't know many veggies and I'd say most people I know eat meat, but not for every dinner.

I've not really considered the environment to be totally honest.

Edit - I would guess most people cut down on meat for cost, perceived health and because culturally there are now more veggie ideas. I think climate and cruelty are way down the list of reasons (unless you're full on veggie in the latter case).

MotherOfCatBoy · 16/05/2024 17:21

Much less than a decade ago. I went mostly vegetarian in 2018, and it was because of climate, followed by health. Once I did it, I found I let myself think about all the animal welfare issues that I hadn’t bothered about before, and then they too became a strong reason for me.

I say “mostly” as DH and DS still like meat but we only have it at home about once a month if that; they have it if we eat out. DH does most of the cooking and he cooks veggie. We do have eggs and dairy although we dropped milk for soya some years ago.

We dropped fish a few years later - it’s just unsustainable. Salmon is farmed. Most other stuff is over fished. Trawling is vile and destroys sea bed and habitat. By catch is horrific and floating “ghost” nets mean a slow death for entangled sea life. The only fish I eat now is shell fish where I can see it come out of the water, that is, on holiday.

TonTonMacoute · 16/05/2024 17:21

Probably the same as before (4 or 5 times a week) but I buy it direct from farms and farm shops close to me. Same for all my food in fact, all of it is locally sourced.

As I live in Cornwall this is easy.

nightmaries · 16/05/2024 17:21

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Dear God - did ChatGPT write this? All the “furthermore”, “additionally” “thus” - reads remarkably close to what chat GPT would say to a prompt about protein intake and veganism

Original poster
lanya · 16/05/2024 17:20

@catlady7 Guilt/ judgement is never an effective motivator for change, that's for sure. All the best to you.

OP posts:
Blackcats7 · 16/05/2024 17:19

None. I have been vegetarian for 33 years now.

midgetastic · 16/05/2024 17:19

Another question that's probably best answered through google

Uk meat consumption per head is the lowest it's been since records began in 1974 and about 1/3 down from peak

catlady7 · 16/05/2024 17:18

Want*

catlady7 · 16/05/2024 17:17

DaisyChain505 · 16/05/2024 17:15

With all the widely available information we have on how cruel the meat and dairy industry is through Netflix documentary’s and online info etc, everyone should be severely reducing if they can’t commit to completely giving up.

Yes you can spout on that the documentaries are biased but you simply cannot make up the awful footage this is shown and if you can turn a blind eye to it shame on you.

I'm not going to get forced by vegans to change my ways. If I wanted to become vegan or vegetarian (I wont) it won't be because they want me to. It will be because I wanted to.

GordonBlue · 16/05/2024 17:17

The last time someone promised me a life changing Paul McCartney video it turned out to be The Frog Chorus. Not falling for that shit again, Beatle or no Beatle.

DaisyChain505 · 16/05/2024 17:15

With all the widely available information we have on how cruel the meat and dairy industry is through Netflix documentary’s and online info etc, everyone should be severely reducing if they can’t commit to completely giving up.

Yes you can spout on that the documentaries are biased but you simply cannot make up the awful footage this is shown and if you can turn a blind eye to it shame on you.

OneTC · 16/05/2024 17:15

Once I put it on mute it was fine

EmmaGrundyForPM · 16/05/2024 17:14

I've reduced my meat consumption for health reasons. I don't eat meat or fish at all during the week, just at weekends.

It's tricky because DH doesn't eat cheese or nuts, so he tends to eat more meat midweek. But we eat a lot of veggie meals together, it's more that he might have some chicken in a sandwich or something.

If we go out for a meal midweek (very rare) I might have meat if there's a dish I really fancy on the menu, but that is an exception.

I have no idea if I really am healthier because of it but I feel its worth doing.

Original poster
lanya · 16/05/2024 17:14

This thread wasn't meant to make anyone feel bad so it's a shame people are posting videos to try and make people feel guilty, and on the other side posting brags about their beef dinners which I assume is making a point that they will carry on eating meat despite this.

It's just a shame people can't just have a grown up and respectful discussion.

I don't judge anyone for eating meat and I eat meat myself.

At the same time, I think it's a really good thing if people feel that they would like to cut back a bit to lessen the impact on our planet. Or simply to listen and try to understand more about the impact on the planet.

We all have to make our own choices and try to respect the choices of others.

42% of people who responded to the poll said they eat less meat which I think is a very good step in the right direction :)

OP posts:
Strictlymad · 16/05/2024 17:14

Reduced meat due to cost! It’s absolutely crazy, it’s our anniversary Saturday and I thought oh nice treat I’ll get a lamb leg- ahem 42 quid!!!! Nope- I got a pork shoulder instead!

SingleSexSafeSpace · 16/05/2024 17:13

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Hatfullofwillow · 16/05/2024 17:13

BiologicsBeforeIdeology · 16/05/2024 17:07

you're much more likely to get cancer BTW

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Depends. I haven't eaten meat for 43 years, but I smoke . I think the odds are in their favour.

SingleSexSafeSpace · 16/05/2024 17:12

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PickAChew · 16/05/2024 17:12

G123456789 · 16/05/2024 16:15

Ok, so what happens to pigs, cows, sheep, chickens etc when every one goes vegan? Meat doesn't have to be cruel. I'm sat in my lounge with a chicken that we rescued two years ago from a battery farm (4 original girls, 3 have died and it would be very unfair on Maggie to get anymore she would be bullied). She's preening day in my chair, I'm on the sofa about to check for eggs. I eat organic or farm assured meat and eggs from my girls

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They don't breed them any more, that's what happens🙄

catlady7 · 16/05/2024 17:12

BiologicsBeforeIdeology · 16/05/2024 17:11

Honestly, tell me how long you can make it through this -

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Not going to put me off, sorry!

ATribeCalledQuestion · 16/05/2024 17:11

I'm about 80% vegan I reckon. I struggle to have the willpower to say no to spicy chicken wings after a night out (thankfully nights out are rare these days!) and I won't chose being vegan over convenience for others. And I'm never gonna be the person who asks the bar staff what vegan wine they have 😂

But when I cook for myself it's always vegan, and whenever the choice is there I always opt for vegan. Unless I'm drunk and there's chicken wings 😁

SingleSexSafeSpace · 16/05/2024 17:10

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catlady7 · 16/05/2024 17:10

crostini · 16/05/2024 17:07

@GordonBlue @catlady7

Thanks for the inspo haha. And absolutely to the bottle of wine 🍷

No problem :)

SingleSexSafeSpace · 16/05/2024 17:10

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