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.

This is so true. It’s such an individual thing. I am genetically prone to anemia. I have tried my best from time to time going Veggie/vegan but it just doesn’t work for me. My iron levels fall too low.

I know some people thrive on vegan diets and feel great. Everyone should just do what’s best for them.

Thank you for that balanced response @OneTC . My disagreement with another poster started over comments that meat is a human need. Obviously it is beneficial for your OH to eat meat but do you think a human would die from lack of meat? My adult DS is very sporty and goes to the gym and his meat diet (which I provide) is the most efficient way for him to get all he needs and stay healthy - plus he likes the taste!

I remember a few years ago there was a lot of talk about the blood group diet - I wonder if there was anything in it or if it was a fad?

Go back and read everything you wrote @fieldsofbutterflies . What you said originally just isn't true, then you spouted rubbish and continue to do so. I discounted all your points. But you continue.

You are arguing with the NHS advice (that you brought up!) - I suggest you take your own advice and take it up with them.

Most, if not all, people do not need to eat meat there are always alternatives. However, some people may have conditions that make it more beneficial to do so as there are also health conditions where it would be detrimental.

I am not trying to get into a game of one upmanship or point scoring. I really don't care. I'm 'banging on' about your inaccuracies which is pointless as you won't admit to them. But there comes a time when banging my head against your two short planks becomes a fruitless and boring exercise. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Obviously it is beneficial for your OH to eat meat but do you think a human would die from lack of meat?

Surely a beneficial diet is about a bit more than "not dying" though

You just keep going @Mothership4two you're doing all the work for me 😂

Oh they are the cutest! He sent me some videos of them jumping about and wagging their tails like puppies. They are such happy little things and their mamas are so proud. I know that's a human interpretation of course but it's hard to see anything else when they're coming for scritches and bringing their babies over with them like hey look what I did.

I can imagine! I’d hate to have to give up entire food groups.

I love the taste of meat, a medium rare steak is wonderful, a lovely roast chicken, slow cooked pork, crispy duck etc. Do I think about how they are produced, nope, never. I’m not going to lie. I shop at a regular supermarket. For those saying at least use a Butcher, they are becoming a dying breed (pun intended), our nearest is 8 miles away. I can’t ever see me not eating meat, I love cooking it and eating it. It seems people are reluctant to admit it on this thread.

The number of people who need meat in their diet in order to be healthy is a minority (and none of this is aimed at those people anyway).

My husband has crohn's disease and pretty severe anaemia. He's on the highest dose of iron tablets allowed.

We have 2 meals a week at home with fish and the rest are vegetarian. We only eat meat if we are eating out.

He has had more meat in his diet in the past and feels that it makes no difference and he wants to be pescatarian, and that he can meet all of his dietary needs just fine.

13 million people in the UK might have IBS. But having IBS/ Crohn's/ anaemia does not automatically = needing a lot of meat in your diet.

The number of people who need a large amount of meat in their diet for medical reasons is a small minority.

None for the past 55 years. Very little before then.

I don't really understand this? I've been a vegetarian for more than 35 years, really active, very healthy. Think there is a current obsession with protein that is just a fad.

Everyone is different.

Rarely any meat at all. I have been eating lots of lentil recipes lately which has really slashed my food bill. Lentil Dahl, lentil spag bol, done in the slow cooker. Very low calorie, filling and cheap! Usually have lots to freeze too.

I think I would maybe eat more meat if there was more information about the upbringing of the animals and I could judge the conditions. I don't trust all the RSPCA assured labels and similar as I think the bar is probably set very low and I do care about animal welfare and think we do have a responsibility to not turn a blind eye.

We need different levels of protein at different life stages. That’s not a fad.
If you’re going through perimenopause then you need more protein due to hormonally induced tissue breakdown. This can then help manage any weight gain that is common at this stage of life.

Active people need more protein for muscle recovery and tissue repair.

The issue is that the scientific community can’t agree on how much. The NHS recommendations haven’t changed in many years and tend to be one size fits all.

I’m sure many vegetarians and vegans do get enough protein. However as an active perimenopausal woman I find I just need the meat element to top up my protein levels. I don’t want to be supplementing with protein shakes all the time for example. Or eating loads of tofa. I eat some tofu. It’s easier for me to have tuna or chicken for lunch than trying to work out how to get a similar 30g of protein from vegetables and beans etc.

Fish once a week, meat once a week. Sometimes one or other a third time a week. At least 50% of main meals, all breakfasts and most lunches are veggie.
I'd like to be veggie but I crave meat really strongly. Low iron issues all my life, which might account for it.

I haven't eaten meat for almost 40 years.

Probably about 2 or 3 times a year. I'll eat turkey at Christmas and then maybe once or twice if it's a special occasion and we're out for dinner or something. My 9 year old persuaded us to cut right back as a family a few years ago when he was about 5 I think. Honestly I could have ignored the environmental damage probably but he said something like "what will the world be like for me and my brother when we grow up mum" how could I argue with that?

35 years a of not eating meat and currently low carbing. It's possible, but I can't deny it's tedious. I'm eating a LOT of Greek yogurt and eggs. Also lots of tofu, Quorn and cheese. I think you'd have to have an iron will to do it as a vegan.

It was a lot easier when I was a pescatarian, but I gave up fish due to unsustainable fishing practices. I've always said that I would eat fish if I caught it myself/ somebody I knew caught it, but despite living by the coast I have not, in fact, gone fishing.

I admire vegans and have tried to go in that direction myself (have oat milk instead of cow, and actually prefer it), but stuck fast on cheese. And with low carbing I've actually gone backwards 😳

35 years a of not eating meat and currently low carbing.

Do you eat fake meat, I think it’s a bit easier if you do, fake chicken stirfry, fake fish and salad etc.

probably two meals weekly - and more likely to be chicken than red meat.

Awkward here as DS when home from uni likes meat as protein source. So chicken, fish and steak. No processed meat eg mince or sausages.

DD about to go to uni happy with mainly vege but won’t eat most fish.

I like us all to eat together and eat more or less the same thing so I’m not just a short order cook.

So when DS is home it’s more meat-heavy, we plan when DD has gone to eat fish and vege only when they are away.

Once or twice a week mostly red meat - we have been reducing but mostly because I find meat lacking and prefer veg dishes.

Veggie for 35 year now.

Very little. Quorn mince about once a week perhaps.