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.

Furthermore, numerous other plant-based foods are rich in protein. Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and various types of beans not only pack a substantial protein punch but are also rich in fiber and other nutrients. Tofu, tempeh, and edamame, all derived from soybeans, are among the richest plant-based protein sources and can easily rival the protein content in meats. Seeds and nuts, along with their butters, are not only versatile and delicious but also excellent protein sources

All very laudable, but none grown in the UK, therefore not seasonable nor sustainable. We need to move towards a more homegrown diet, and that includes meat, as much of the land in the UK is only suitable for grazing.

Well my dh and eldest ds went vegetarian 5 years ago. For 100% climate reasons.

I’m not V so I’ve kind of gone about 70% V by default and I generally get on fine with it and am pro-veggie even though I don’t consider myself one.

DH and DS like the fake meats though which I can’t stand. I genuinely like most other V food. Sandwiches are by far the hardest. I don’t like egg so continue to buy salmon and chicken for sandwiches. If it wasn’t for sandwich fillings I’d probably not buy any meat at all.

it’s a pain when we go abroad though.

Its much more difficult to get the amount of protein I need/want without eating meat and fish. I try not to consume UPFs, and would need to eat a much greater volume of food without meat.

It's commendable that you've rescued chickens and are giving them a caring home, but let's tackle the broader question here. Asking "what happens to farm animals if everyone goes vegan?" might sound logical at first, but it skips over the crucial fact that these animals are bred in vast numbers specifically for consumption. If demand for meat decreases, fewer animals will be bred for this purpose. It's a straightforward supply and demand situation.

Now, about the cruelty of meat. Even the most humanely raised animals end up at the slaughterhouse, which is a process inherently fraught with fear and suffering. No matter how well they are treated during their lives, their end is generally the same. And while the idea of 'humane meat' is popular, it doesn't address the fundamental issue that we are taking lives unnecessarily. We've created systems and norms where we breed animals only to kill them—not out of necessity but out of habit and preference. It's not just about preventing cruelty; it's about questioning why we believe we have the right to use, control, and terminate lives at our convenience.

Transitioning towards veganism isn't about abandoning animals or leaving them to fend for themselves; it's about transforming our agricultural practices to focus on sustainability and cruelty-free methods. Reducing and eventually stopping the breeding of animals for food is a compassionate step towards a system that no longer relies on exploitation. This is not just a change in diet but a profound shift in ethics and practices that respects animal lives and the health of our planet.

Thats just not true.

Locally raised meat, treated ethically at every life stage, is not the sort of farming that’s killing the planet. Is it really so terrible for an animal to be eaten for meat after it’s dead? All living things die. It’s the quality of their life (and death) that counts.

Oh I see. You’re on a wind-up.

We eat veggie at lunch and breakfast time usually. For dinner I then aim for 1 night veggie, 1 night red meat, 2 nights chicken and 3 nights fish (including 1 of oily fish).

We are not vegan or vegetarian but have cut down to about 2 x small portions a week for all 3 reasons, environment, health and cost.
Animsl welfare is also an equally valid reason but wasn’t my main driver.

There was an episode of the Zoe podcast recently about protein which I found quite interesting. I do feel that people are led to believe they need more protein than they actually do, partly because of the food/ health industry selling the idea to us. There is also protein in lots of foods, even things like rice.
(Obviously this doesn't apply to people who've been given medical advice on their diets - but I just found it interesting generally)

https://zoe.com/learn/should-you-worry-about-protein-deficiency

Well, it is true. I can eat very limited portions and the protein I get from 100g of chicken or fish would take triple the amount of tofu or black beans, which I just physically cannot eat.

But nice that you think you know my body better than me or my consultant.

Yeah it's nonsense.

A lot of people going veggie or vegan in the interests of the planet, whilst their beans are being flown thousands of miles across the world. Deforestation to keep up with demand.

Everything considered, ditching supermarket meat, going to your local butcher (mine take 90% of their produce from their farm which is 2 miles from my house), eating sustainably grown, seasonal fruit and veg is the way.

Even the multiple long paragraph posts will not convince me that you can easily get all you need from a vegan diet. You have to be seriously committed to achieve this and it's irresponsible to make people believe otherwise. People who might go to Aldi and think that disgusting looking bright red plant meat in steamed up plastic packaging is doing themselves and the planet good.

exactly, it's not well understood and people jus think MEAT-PROTEIN, just not true (and bad for you)

We've stopped eating red meat for health and environmental reasons. We eat chicken twice a week, fish twice a week, and then the rest are veggie meals.

I haven't cut back and neither has anyone I know

I agree on most of what you have said..but how do we produce enough food to feed the world, even the gradual removal of animals will effect the nitrogen levels in soil, how will sub sarhra Africa manage without the input of manufactured chemicals.
what does happen to all the animals, do we make them extinct? What about dogs/cats/hamsters kept for human pleasure.
there might be a small element of fear at the end of an animals life..but what alternative is there in the large scale production of protein....please don't say nuts and legume as we both know a you have to a lot to replace protein in a natural way and nuts use a lot of land to farm

Giving up beef is definitely something to think about

I've increased my meat because I'm peri but also breastfeeding. Increasing my proteins massive increased my energy levels

Also go to the butchers. For quality meat

I’d eat more meat than I do if I had more money.

I'd never give up steak