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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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NoSquirrels · 16/05/2024 18:42

MotherOfCatBoy · 16/05/2024 17:29

Protein: rice & beans; chickpeas; hummus; yoghurt; nuts; nut butters; cheese; legumes…
Vitamins, calcium etc: dark leafy vegetables in general, eating a varied diet, plus a multi vitamin esp in the winter for vit D

A lot of plants worldwide, including the majority of soy, is grown to feed animals. It’s totally inefficient. If we wanted to feed 8b people we could, simply by cutting the animals out of the food chain. Those of you buying local meat, I applaud your intentions, but there isn’t enough land for all meat to be raised this way and for everyone to eat the quantity of meat society does now. The only way that is sustainable is fewer people, fewer meat meals, and fewer animals - which is how it used to be in the past before big ag conglomerates. Therefore reducing meat consumption goes hand in hand with local and sustainable - it’s a treat, not an everyday food. Remember your local meat has probably had supplementary feeding using plants grown abroad - certainly the case for beef and chicken (probably less for upland sheep). Reducing is the only way to go if we want less carbon, more wildlife, less chicken shit in our rivers, and fewer antibiotics driving resistance to bugs.

People who choose locally reared meat almost inevitably eat less of it, because it’s expensive (for all the reasons you list). So you don’t need to applaud our intentions - we’re actively doing what you propose for the reasons you outline.

I just think it’s a shame when people who eat a plant-based diet demonise any meat-eating at all. We do not all need to give up meat entirely to make a difference.

MartinsSpareCalculator · 16/05/2024 18:40

250g of chicken is roughly 60g protein. To get 60g protein from chickpeas I'd need to eat about 700g.

And chickpeas are one of the more protein dense non animal foods.

I aim for 120g protein daily, because that's what my body needs. I neither can manage eating 1400g chickpeas in a day nor wish to.

hopscotcher · 16/05/2024 18:35

Less than I used to. I've replaced it in a few things.

catlady7 · 16/05/2024 18:31

DaisyChain505 · 16/05/2024 18:04

Being proud because you don’t give a shit about animal cruelty isn’t something to gloat about.

If someone told you they saw someone kicking a dog outside would you tell them you didn’t want to hear it and that you weren’t willing to do anything about it? This is exactly the same as people telling you how cruel the meat and dairy industry is. The issue isn’t people telling you about it the issue is you blindly ignoring it.

Edited

How am I being proud? Where have you got that from my comment.

I will not get told what to do. Thank you. Very much.

MartinsSpareCalculator · 16/05/2024 18:27

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Based on what measure? If transported by air then it just isn't better for the environment at all. If transported by sea it is marginally better when looking at carbon footprint. But water usage tends to be higher, nutrient loss from soil tends to be higher, the quality of the produce tends to be lower because it's harvested early etc etc.

People don't see the localised damage done, only the shiny carbon footprint data.

IncompleteSenten · 16/05/2024 18:27

Very little. In the last few weeks I've had, trying to think now, some bacon, a piece of fish and a ham sandwich.

I'm not really a big meat eater these days.

Violet17 · 16/05/2024 18:24

I eat meat abt twice a week

HappyMuma · 16/05/2024 18:23

We’ve been eating less meat. I’ve never eaten pork and have gone off chicken so the only options are beef and lamb which are expensive!

Luxell934 · 16/05/2024 18:20

I went veggie/vegan for months but always go back to eating meat unfortunately.

Mostly eat chicken and fish as trying to limit red and processed meat but I still love a burger/steak once in a while!

izzywizzy82 · 16/05/2024 18:19

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

JingsMahBucket · 16/05/2024 18:08

Mairzydotes · 16/05/2024 16:56

Iceland , or one of the supermarkets. I also mean things like chicken nuggets and pies.

@Mairzydotes ahh gotcha. I keep wanting to try frozen meat from Iceland but I just haven’t done it yet. I was thinking of trying their frozen boneless and skinless chicken thighs.

5128gap · 16/05/2024 18:07

I know people swear by low carb @lanya but usually it's within the context of creating a calorie deficit, which let's face it, if you're cutting out carbs, you're going to find a lot easier to do. So I think you get results in the short term. Also if some of the issue is water retention or bloating it will deal with that. However, long term I just couldn't sustain it. Carbs fill me and give me day to day energy, and would be far harder to drop than meat has proved to be for me. Everyone's different but if I can be post menopause with little to no belly fat and still eat carbs, nothing will convince me low carb is necessary.
I completely agree about nutrition and balance. Clean whole foods is the way to go, whether that includes animal products or not.

DaffydownClock · 16/05/2024 18:06

We still eat meat or fish most days but smaller portions and organically / locally produced whenever possible . I have eaten vegan at my son’s but dislike tofu etc, DD is vegetarian and I do enjoy some vegetarian options but beans don’t agree with me and I am not keen on grains/rice/pasta so going down that route would mean a very restricted range of foods.
I will continue to enjoy my meat/fish/seafood with plenty of vegetables and salad.

DaisyChain505 · 16/05/2024 18:04

catlady7 · 16/05/2024 17:17

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.

Being proud because you don’t give a shit about animal cruelty isn’t something to gloat about.

If someone told you they saw someone kicking a dog outside would you tell them you didn’t want to hear it and that you weren’t willing to do anything about it? This is exactly the same as people telling you how cruel the meat and dairy industry is. The issue isn’t people telling you about it the issue is you blindly ignoring it.

funinthesun19 · 16/05/2024 18:03

I eat it occasionally, but some meats I don’t eat all eg beef and lamb - I find both of those completely gross. I’ll manage the occasional ham sandwich or a bit of chicken in my curry.

And fish I will eat with no problems. I love fish.

minipie · 16/05/2024 18:01

We’re eating the same meals as we always did, but I’ve reduced the quantity of meat per person I use in the meal and added extra nuts or veg or pulses instead. This is partly to reduce meat but also to increase veg/plant intake.

We do eat vegetarian meals but they tend to be dairy heavy, so I’m not sure if they’re all that much better environmentally or ethically.

lanya · 16/05/2024 17:58

@5128gap Yes I think the problem with that post you quoted is that 'reduce carbs' is not really the font of all dietary advice!! Carbs are an important food group.

I believe that most people need more nutritious whole, unprocessed foods and vegetables, rather than necessarily a reduction in carbs.

I think it's very possible to have a healthy and balanced vegetarian diet. Vegan is harder but not impossible - I have a few vegan friends who have great diets - but it takes effort and time to do it right.

OP posts:
Mothership4two · 16/05/2024 17:52

@lanya

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

Hear hear!

5128gap · 16/05/2024 17:52

WishIMite · 16/05/2024 17:28

I think there's a real tension between "REDUCE CARBS!" which is what everyone on MN says re. diet, and also "REDUCE MEAT!" which is also what everyone claims.

Feck knows how I could reduce carbs AND reduce meat. I'd be gnawing on kale and sad.

You can't. I'm vegan and eat ALL the carbs! Still two stone down from when I ate meat, with a BMI of 21. I'm in the best shape of my life at 55.

MaryFuckingFerguson · 16/05/2024 17:51

We have cut down for health reasons and eat fish more. We’ll eat chicken maybe once a week and red meat only occasionally. We try and have days where we eat no meat or fish. Much as we love bacon, we rarely eat it on the advice of a colorectal surgeon friend.

We also only buy higher welfare meat now.

wickerlady · 16/05/2024 17:46

ITsExpected · 16/05/2024 17:44

Well, I'm not going to sugar coat this. I love meat! Nobody is perfect, and very few people don't contradict themselves somewhere when it comes to the environment, dietary choices etc.

I tend to eat lean meat like chicken and turkey. I do sometimes have lean beef and pork/bacon/better quality sausages etc. I like the least fat possible options, cut the rinds off bacon before cooking etc. This is personal taste though.

I also eat a bazillion vegetables, and enjoy a varied diet.

Edited

Don't feel bad. Eat what the hell you like.

So many misguided people on here anyway.

lanya · 16/05/2024 17:46

@ITsExpected Yes. I wouldn't judge anyone for continuing to eat meat, even if it's just because they like it and can't/ don't want to give it up. That's fine - we're all human.

But I must admit, I do have a bit of a problem with people who try to argue that eating meat is actually more sustainable than a vegetarian diet, and actually better for the planet in some way (e.g. because of the production of vegan leather). It isn't.

I do respect everyone's decisions but I think we should all recognise and understand and own our choices.

I eat meat and I know it would be better if I didn't, but I can't give it up completely because I like it and it's delicious.

OP posts:
catlady7 · 16/05/2024 17:45

ITsExpected · 16/05/2024 17:44

Well, I'm not going to sugar coat this. I love meat! Nobody is perfect, and very few people don't contradict themselves somewhere when it comes to the environment, dietary choices etc.

I tend to eat lean meat like chicken and turkey. I do sometimes have lean beef and pork/bacon/better quality sausages etc. I like the least fat possible options, cut the rinds off bacon before cooking etc. This is personal taste though.

I also eat a bazillion vegetables, and enjoy a varied diet.

Edited

Who doesn't love a sausage. A proper one

5128gap · 16/05/2024 17:45

Vegan for 4 years after a covid/hitting 50 inspired health kick. One adult DC vegan, one vegetarian, one pescatarian. DGC being raised vegetarian. DP eats meat but has cut down considerably (no pressure from me, just has seen the benefits to my health and enjoys the odd vegan dish!) Most other people I know eat meat, but are very happy not to, and enjoy trying non meat meals. I don't know any of the sort of militant meat eaters that sometimes pop up in the MN anti vegan threads. Most people say they wish they could eat less meat.

wickerlady · 16/05/2024 17:44

@SingleSexSafeSpace " Your cancer to get bruv not mine. Hope it's not a painful one"

Actually vegans might find cancer more of a problem with the amount of plant pesticides they're consuming. Especially you as you're eating enough plants to sustain deadlifting 145KG 😆