So there’s been something on my mind lately that I really would like to share. I’ll admit that I was going to try to avoid it as much as possible. But then I realized that that goes against everything I want this blog to be, which is a place of straight-up-ness (yeah, I probably could’ve used “honesty,” but this is a blog, not a Lifetime movie).
I’ve made it no secret that I eat meat. Not only do I eat it, but I enjoy eating it. Okay I’ll cut the fluff…I can be quite the carnivore. I love chicken, fish, beef, pork; the whole nine. And that never bothered me…until I started this blog.
Let me be clear by saying that I never felt judged in any way by anyone for eating meat, and maybe the majority of what I’m feeling is self-imposed. But in a world of healthy food bloggers that eat little to no meat eat all, whether it be for health reasons or moral values, I feel like my version of being “healthy” is sub-par.
If I were to ever become a vegetarian, which I do not see anywhere in my future, the reasons would be solely for my moral and social values alone. But before I get to that, let me make clear that I personally find meat to be part of a healthy diet. And not just for the protein, but also for the dietary, saturated fat that it provides. Yes, I said saturated. We’ve been bombarded with the message that all fat is bad - especially fat derived from meat. I beg to differ, and I’m currently doing as much research as I can on that topic.
Now, what about the moral dilemma of eating meat (and lots of it)? I will be the first one to admit that the food industry in our country is out of control. Animal cruelty is worse than it’s ever been, and call me a pessimist, but I don’t forsee it getting better anytime soon.
So do I think we should just say “screw it” and support the food industry? Not at all. Especially not when they’re adding hormones and cloning and doing God knows what to the animals we’re consuming. Not only is it cruel to the animals, but it’s seriously harming us as a nation regarding our health and wellness. That’s why I make it a point to buy organic, free range meat and dairy as much as I possibly can. Does that mean that that’s ALL I ever buy, and I only eat at restaurants where there’s organic meat served? Sure doesn’t.
But if we carnivores make it a point to eat more organic, locally farmed meat and dairy, maybe the food industry will start catching the drift. In fact, one could even argue that we who *do* eat meat can make just as much if not more of an impact on the food industry than those who do not eat meat at all. You know, by redirecting our sales. It’s not a crazy thought.
Okay, so let’s dig even further, shall we? Many people believe that consuming animals in general - regardless of how they were raised - is a heinous, barbaric thing. I’m not one of those people. I have a few reasons for holding that particular belief. However, I don’t feel that there’s any reason in trying to make my argument for that case because I’ll never convince anyone that my beliefs are right and theirs are wrong, and vice-versa. I’m willing to respect your beliefs and lifestyle, so I hope that you’d be willing to respect mine.
Lastly, let me be clear that I am in no way criticizing or against vegetarianism. In fact, I have a ton of respect and admiration for many vegetarians and vegans, and I DO think that you can be healthy on a vegetarian diet. I’ve dabbled with the thought of becoming a vegetarian myself, but I’ve accepted that it’s probably just not a reality for me. And I’m okay with that. If one day I suddenly have the desire to make that life change, I will by no means fight it.
daily recap.
Unfortunately I don’t have any exciting eats for you this morning because I’ve pretty much been living on this for the past 12 hours:
A Flatout wrap smeared with tahini, sprinkled with stevia and cinnamon. It’s majorly addicting, and I’m going with it.
I’m off to get ready, run some quick errands, and then go to church with the fam. Have I ever mentioned that I love Sundays? Because I do =) Have a great day, lovebugs! xoxo G
- What are your thoughts on eating meat?
- Are you a vegetarian? Why or why not?
If you read “Good Calories, Bad Calories”, by Gary Taubes, 90% of your research will be done. Some people have said that the book implies we shouldn’t be eating anything except fatty meat, but that isn’t true. Taubes makes no statement about how people should eat, he only reviews the research and science. I’ve also seen interviews with Taubes in which he was attacked on this point, and he made it clear that he believes people should still be eating vegetables, etc., but we need to forget the faulty argument that fats cause disease (or obesity) and look to the real culprits (sugars and the highly-excessive carbohydrates). As to diet, what you CAN take away from his book is that there is little correlation between cholesterol and heart disease, that HDL cholesterol is good and necessary (which means you need to eat saturated fats!), and the triglycerides which DO correlate to disease are raised by sugars (many of which come from the breakdown of carbohydrates). All those carbs become sugars in your system, so that even a piece of bread is effectively like eating sugar. Humans can get the necessary carbohydrates entirely from eating a couple of servings of vegetables per day, so there’s no need to think we’re hurting ourselves by cutting out other forms of carbs. When I eat, I start with some kind of a meat, and I buy the fattiest variation available (bonus: it’s WAY cheaper!). Twice a day I add a vegetable or two. Breakfast every morning is eggs and bacon (get nitrate-free bacon; I get mine at Trader Joe’s). And though I also avoid grain-based foods because of digestive problems, when I do eat anything based on grains I look at it as eating sugar. A piece of bread is a dessert; it’s sugar.
i’m not a vegetarian but i was definitely feeling ‘bad’ about my diet after reading all the bloggers who have given up meat because of books like skinny bitch or the clean diet etc. i tried vegetarianism for a couple months and although i did have great energy i just missed a nice piece of salmon! or a chicken burrito! i probably only eat meat now 1-2 meals per week but i also find that being too restrictive (even if it’s for moral/health reasons) makes me go crazyyyy. if i do eat meat i try and get organic and mostly i just stick to shrimp and salmon with the occasional turkey or chicken. anyways, nice topic! i love sundays too
have fun at church!
i need to get tahini! i never knew what it was before blogging
I’m from Ukraine and my family’s diet is HEAVILY based on meat eating. They can’t imagine living without it and I can’t either.
If it works for you and it’s something you find important and healthy, then go for it! I enjoy tofu and tempeh a lot but I’m not about to stop eating my grandma’s delicious food!
I think you make a VERY good point. I am a semi-vegetarian, I eat chicken and seafood, but I have nothing against those that aren’t vegetarians. I do believe it’s a personal choice. And I appreciate those who respect my decision and so I respect others. I also think that if you do eat meat, eating as much free-range and organic as you can is good. I don’t believe that there is anything inherently wrong with eating meat. I choose not to eat red meat and pork because I don’t care for it, I don’t like the animal industry, and my body functions fine without it. But to each his own, you know.
This is a great post. I think with the prevalence of vegan/vegetarian food bloggers, we can easily self impose a guilty feeling for not eating that way as well. I think it is completely possible to be healthy and have a nutritious diet with meat and without everything being organic/raw/etc. Each person needs to eat the way that they can stick to for a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Along with the previous notes, it is so easy to feel guilty because of the mindset on many blogs. I don’t eat much meat during the work week and that helps me save some $$! I have read tons of books about it and I know there are some awful animal conditions out there so I try to buy free-range etc when possible. Half of my meals would be shot without eggs and cheese and yogurt! K so basically I’m repeating your post
. Anyway the point is that I agree!
Here is a good video on the subject: http://meat.org
I completely agree. No need to feel bad about your carnivore ways!
I got into an argument about organic foods and meats yesterday and I got so irritated. The couple (who are good friends of mine) did not want to buy organic because they claim, “I’ve lived this long the way that I am, and I am fine. There is no way I am paying more money for food just because they ‘say’ they do not use pesticides and hormones. Why should I care if they are mean to the animals? They are just going to die anyway.” No matter what I said, they didn’t want to hear it and completely ignored everything. I understand that people are set in their ways and of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but that made my jaw drop … I share the same beliefs you do and reading that post made my day =)
THANK YOU for that insightful response! I couldn’t agree more (well, I probably will when I’m *finished* reading GC/BC!). So far I’m only finished the prologue, but I’m already quite convinced
I’m starting to take this approach to my diet, and I’m anxious to see how it effects my cholesterol. Gotta go - we’ll chat more about this later!
I decided to expand on all that on my personal blog. You can read it here: http://brandonw.tumblr.com/post/363310148/the-healthy-diet-manifesto-be-healthier-lose-weight