How much meat do you eat?

[lanya]

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.

@kikisparks @IncompleteSenten I mean fair enough but I doubt that posting distressing videos and saying "LOOK WHAT YOU'RE DOING YOU AWFUL PEOPLE" is actually going to change anyone's minds.

You don't win people over by making them feel bad. People will switch off and drown you out when they feel attacked.

You win people over by making them feel good about choices they have made themselves and feel in control of.

@Blackcats7 again, what about the sizeable number of people with allergies or severe dietary restrictions?

Most days. I’m currently anaemic and meat is more efficient than veg to bring it up. I eat lots of green veg too.

I think we need to give people some grace re what they choose to eat, whether vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, carnivore, whatever. Everyone is different - different genetically and biochemically. One man's meat is another man's poison, and all that. Having been on various FB and other health groups I can see that some ways of eating really work for some, but are totally wrong for others. We can't just stuff everyone in the same dietary box.

Personally I struggle with finding foods that don't cause me reactions so I am grateful to be able to eat chicken and fish, even if only small quantities.

Arguing and fighting over what we 'should' or 'shouldn't' be eating can't and won't either save or doom the planet.

None since I was 10, so about 26 years!

Well we can all dream up hypothetical situations. Such as what if someone is allergic to meat? Humans as a species don't need meat.

I am not here to educate and answer every question meat eaters want to use to justify their choices so I suggest you do your own investigation from reputable sources.
For the final time on this thread:
I have no problem with anybody who chooses to eat meat. That is entirely your decision and I respect that. But don’t try to argue that you “have” to eat meat. It is a choice, not a need so own that choice. If you are comfortable with it why would you need to try to disguise it?

@Mothership4two except some do because of other allergies or intolerances 🙄

I'm not one of them by the way, just not so arrogant that I think I know what suits every single person in the world.

Agreed.

I think we should all take ownership of our choices.

I eat meat (in fairly small quantities) because I like it and I struggle to give it up. I've reduced quite a lot, mostly for environmental reasons, but I probably won't ever completely stop.

Just own it, people. It's OK to be human. What's not OK is ignorance and not understanding the impact of your own choices, or trying to justify them with nonsense and misinformation.

I think continuing to highlight that a small number of people have health issues/ intolerances which limit their dietary options is just distracting from the point.

Obviously some people have health issues which mean that meat is more beneficial for them, but people who are continuing to hammer this point are just using it as a distraction from the actual point, which is that a normal, healthy human body doesn't need meat to function.

I see what you’re saying but it was watching the videos and seeing what I was paying for that made me go vegan. I do like to take a positive approach where possible.

No it doesn't. Nobody likes to feel criticised. But we do need to be able to face reality and look at what goes in to enabling us to make our choices.

I eat meat. Choosing to not hide from how that meat ended up on my plate led me to make different choices about what meat I eat, how often I eat it and where I buy it from. Should I be vegan? Probably. I'm not going to be and I've made choices I personally can live with.

And I think that's all people should do. Make informed choices. Own their choices. It's not about people hurling abuse at each other, it's about each of us being willing to look at what we are doing. If the only way you can do something is by refusing to see, hear or think about it then at some point you surely must think how messed up that is.

People can seek out those videos if they choose to, though. They don't need to be posted on a thread like this with semi aggressive messages attempting to make people feel bad.

That's not what this thread is and it is also not going to change anyone's mind.

@IncompleteSenten I agree with you - but I do not think that throwing distressing videos in people's faces is a way to reach anyone's heart or mind.

after doing veganuary a few years back we settled at meat once a week and fish once a week.

that seems to be the right balance for both nutrition and sustainability. plus saved a lot of money.

Meat probably 3 times a week and fish twice a week. I had chicken last night, but having macaroni cheese tonight so no meat today. I only eat chicken and beef though, I don't like any other meat. I eat a variety of fish.

We have a lot of mince based dishes at home and I've tried quorn mince but I find it has a mushier texture than beef mince and I'm just not keen.

I'd never give up chicken or fish, I enjoy it too much. I'm not arsed at all what other people think about that.

No it's not. I agree with you completely.

I favour a calmer more logical approach coming from within not ... is without the right word?

That we all are willing to seek out the facts needed to make informed choices, whatever those choices are.

Its actually not a choice. When my daughter is poorly she only wants the boob. Refuses formula. Have to restrict my diet and its not easy. Do you think that's a choice now??!!

I'm out all I will say is that I need meat to function wether that's restricting my diet or not.

Love how you've all ignored the comment that none of you have actually been on a working farm. I have and it was fantastic. Loved it.

What do you mean? I never restricted my diet when I breastfed aside from avoiding alcohol and too much caffeine. I didn't know that was a thing!

She has allergies.

Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying.

I never avoid alcohol. Don't have much caffeine

No problem :) been a lot of tears. Its not easy at all.

@Blackcats7 except some people do need to eat it as a result of allergies and other intolerances.

I'm not one of them - I eat meat because I enjoy the taste, but I'm not so arrogant as to think that what works for me will also work for every single other person on the planet 🤷‍♀️