Could/would you eat only 14g of meat a day?

deanspn on 17/01/2019 - 13:13
Last edited 18/01/2019 - 09:37

I read some articles today on how a “planetary health diet” is needed to ensure that Earth remains sustainable and healthy for habitation. A large part of the diet is to get people to eat a lot less meat and a lot more beans and vegetables.

https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/16/new-plan…

Their guideline is each person should eat no more than 14g (fourteen grams) of meat a day.

Out of curiosity, is that something that you could or would do?

Edit: your responses have been interesting! I eat meat occasionally (once or twice a month) and stick to mostly whole food, plant based these days for health reasons. It’s been easier and tastier than expected.

Also a reminder to stay civil in the comments to each other; most of the comments are pretty funny but come on, it’s not that hard to be polite.

Poll Options

  • 288
    No, I would struggle to cut back because meat is too important to me
  • 146
    Yes, I eat more than that now but could/would cut back
  • 125
    Yes, I already eat 14g or less of meat a day
  • 55
    No, I really don’t care
Food & Grocery

Comments

          • olkicom on 18/01/2019 - 22:12
            +2

            @trapper: A significant portion of cows raised are grain fed. As I mentioned in my previous comment, removing factory farming from the equation would result in fewer crops being required to feed the world population. If you are interested in saving the lives of small critters then you can accomplish this by reducing your meat intake.

            • trapper on 22/01/2019 - 14:15

              @olkicom: So don't buy grain fed meat… you can save lives and eat meat too

              • olkicom on 22/01/2019 - 20:22

                @trapper: Unfortunately not because there are other issues with beef production that threaten animal lives. For example, most land clearing (which leads to habitat destruction) in Australia is to open up land for grazing.

      • trapper on 18/01/2019 - 14:37

        This is true though.

        Death by combine harvester not every humane either…

    • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2019 - 08:09
      +1

      Let's see random meat eaters complain about vegans for reason

    • frewer on 20/01/2019 - 18:43

      There may be less complain if you incorporated one of these sacs(WARNING spidurs) into your diet.

    • Zedsdeadbabyzedsdead on 20/01/2019 - 21:46

      The article is from the guardian so that's a sure sign it's fake news.

  • HighAndDry on 17/01/2019 - 13:21
    +6

    Could cut back is not the same as would be willing to cut back.

    As I read it, this is 14g of meat on average across the whole planet, right? So as long as other people buy in and turn vegetarian or vegan, the meat allotment available to the rest of us will increase.

    • SlappersOnly on 17/01/2019 - 15:06
      +12

      In that case. I’m all for this plan, if it means more allocated meat for me. Go vegan everyone!

    • outlander on 17/01/2019 - 17:15
      +2

      That's the a-hole way of looking at it, yes =D

      • HighAndDry on 17/01/2019 - 17:20
        +4

        Completely concede that - but only if everyone concedes that that's literally what's already happening in terms of… well everything. There sure as hell aren't enough Nikes in the world for everyone to have a pair, and I'm sure from just the OzB threads, people here have multiples.

        Where do those come from? The children in Africa who have no food, or - ironically - the children in SE Asia making the Nikes.

        You either acknowledge it and accept that it happens, try to cut yourself off and go live in the bush, or blind yourself to reality.

    • kirbycario on 18/01/2019 - 12:06
      +1

      added benefit of decreasing demand - can have top quality for minimal dollar

    • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2019 - 10:28
      +1

      And here lies the strongest argument pro veganism that has ever existed.

  • MSG on 17/01/2019 - 13:22

    So a quarter pounder would be 8x the daily limit?

  • whooah1979 on 17/01/2019 - 13:22
    +6

    more beans and vegetables

    lol. No.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 18/01/2019 - 01:16
      +1

      They clearly neglected to consider the increased carbon emissions.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2019 - 13:24
    +40

    if we weren't supposed to eat animals, why are they made out of meat?

    • Oz8argain on 17/01/2019 - 13:30
      +4

      Can't argue with that logic I guess….

      • Sirlofty on 17/01/2019 - 14:04
        +10

        People are made out of meat. Maybe that's the answer, we should eat people.

        • Oz8argain on 17/01/2019 - 14:12
          +5

          soylent green is yummy

        • Seedy seed on 17/01/2019 - 14:47

          Just the vegans, they possess the nutrients us carnivours need.

        • CJ31 on 17/01/2019 - 18:55
          +3

          Feed the homeless to the hungry. Solve world problems.

        • bobbified on 17/01/2019 - 19:00
          +3

          ..we should eat people.

          I'll admit that I do. My gf would be pissed if I didn't.

        • Bargain80 on 18/01/2019 - 14:41
          +1

          that's one way to reduce carbon emissions.

    • Ugly on 17/01/2019 - 14:02
      +9

      Salad is what my dinner eats for dinner.

  • HighAndDry on 17/01/2019 - 13:25
    +9

    From your article:

    ‘Planetary health diet’ would prevent millions of deaths a year and avoid climate change

    Honestly, the biggest issue in terms of planetary sustainability is the sheer number of humans on it. "Millions of deaths" would eventually actually solve this problem (as would limiting people pumping out babies), so "preventing millions of deaths" is technically worse for the planet.

    • BuyoTheCat on 17/01/2019 - 15:13
      +25

      Is that you, Thanos?

      • CJ31 on 17/01/2019 - 18:56
        +6

        Thanos is the hero of that movie.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 18/01/2019 - 01:40
          +2

          Then why didn't he just use the Power Glove Infinity Gauntlet to double the resources?

          He clearly wasn't loved enough (or too much) as a child!

          • HighAndDry on 18/01/2019 - 12:11
            +1

            @Scrooge McDuck: Because those resources aren't self-replicating and, given exponential growth in resources required, a doubling of resources would still only extend the deadline by an insignificant amount.

            Killing half the people also isn't an forever solution, but it doesn't just half immediate consumption, it also halves the rate of increase in consumption.

            • Scrooge McDuck on 18/01/2019 - 13:03
              +1

              @HighAndDry: Doubling the resources or halving the population have exactly the same relative effect. Self-similarity is a defining property of exponential functions.

              In simple terms, only the ratio of population to resources matters.

              • HighAndDry on 18/01/2019 - 13:05
                -1

                @Scrooge McDuck: In the immediate term yes. But the population reproduces. Resources don't.

                Halving the population also immediately halves population growth.

                Doubling resources doesn't (immediately or otherwise) double resource production.

                • Scrooge McDuck on 18/01/2019 - 13:14
                  +1

                  @HighAndDry: An exponential function takes the same period to double no matter what the starting point.

              • CJ31 on 18/01/2019 - 17:57
                -1

                @Scrooge McDuck: Not it doesn't. If 10 million animalS on a plain in Africa have a double average bumper season (thanos double resources) and grow to 20 million. They will grow in population to need double average to maintain numbers, if it is average, most of them starve, if it is below average year almost all them starve. With humans, you are now stuck in loop of having to constantly double the resources until it gets to point the entire world looks like the centre of Hong Kong and there are no wild spots left.

                Culling the human herd on the other hand is much simpler and sets an upper limit on how out of control we can get. It would have been nicer for Thanos to just sterilise everyone, but that's a boring ass movie.

    • Bargain80 on 18/01/2019 - 14:47
      +2

      totally agree with the number of humans.
      But we need a lot more than "million of deaths".

  • DarthAntz on 17/01/2019 - 13:29
    +5

    Eating meat once a week could equal 14g a day. Once every 10 days is better. Meat tastes amazing when you don't eat it everyday.
    I recommend those cans of mixed beans, thrown in the blender with some almonds, a spoon of sesame oil and some salt/herbs to taste. You can eat it as a dip, spread it on some toast, or mix it with some other vegetables in your tortillas.

    • HighAndDry on 17/01/2019 - 13:38
      +12

      Meat tastes amazing when you don't eat it everyday.

      Counterpoint: Meat also tastes amazing when you eat it everyday. And then it tastes amazing everyday.

      mixed beans, thrown in the blender with some almonds, a spoon of sesame oil and some salt/herbs to taste.

      This is both actually amazing, and also effectively hummus, which is also itself amazing. My ghetto version is: Hummus, add sauces/herbs to taste. Hummus + tabasco is amazing from an effort/taste angle.

      • DarthAntz on 17/01/2019 - 16:58
        +1

        Will add tabasco next time. Hummus is blended chickpeas. Chickpeas are often in those mixed cans. Roast the almonds or nuts before you blend them. Mum's recipe is to make the bean mix (her own, i do things my way), then a layer of sour cream, with a layer of guacamole on top. triple layer nacho dip. Dont limit yourself to nachos.

        If you go without meat for 2 weeks, then eat chicken on the bone, it will taste like the first time you've ever eaten chicken. Make sure its double smoked BBQ chicken.

        • HighAndDry on 17/01/2019 - 17:07
          +2

          Mum's recipe is to make the bean mix (her own, i do things my way), then a layer of sour cream, with a layer of guacamole on top. triple layer nacho dip. Dont limit yourself to nachos.

          Will definitely have to try this when I have time. That sounds amazing already.

          If you go without meat for 2 weeks, then eat chicken on the bone, it will taste like the first time you've ever eaten chicken. Make sure its double smoked BBQ chicken.

          Not sure I can manage this, but if I ever do - I'll try to remember to end the fast with double smoked BBQ chicken.

          Thanks for the tips!

          • DarthAntz on 17/01/2019 - 17:08

            @HighAndDry: My gift to you for all your legendary comments and support to the community since forever

    • whooah1979 on 17/01/2019 - 13:50

      Meat tastes amazing

      https://youtu.be/S2NX8Imn6LA?t=11

  • Some Human on 17/01/2019 - 13:41
    +4

    Meat is what keeps me from waking up starving in the middle of the night.

    • Heracles26 on 17/01/2019 - 16:16
      +6

      Your bf's meat?

      • bobbified on 17/01/2019 - 19:01

        LOL!

      • CJ31 on 17/01/2019 - 19:19

        I would have thought that was for when you wake up hungry in the middle of the night.

  • Donaldhump on 17/01/2019 - 13:41
    +8

    my wifes and 4 kids are vegetarian so i use their allocation.

    • HighAndDry on 17/01/2019 - 13:55
      +1

      Good idea - if you have 7 kids and don't feed them meat, you'd be set.

      • Donaldhump on 17/01/2019 - 13:57
        +4

        if i had 7 kids id be more broke than i am

        • onetwothreefour on 17/01/2019 - 14:07
          +2

          You could always start eating the kids?

    • 50cents on 17/01/2019 - 15:54
      +2

      Wifes? How many you got?

      • Donaldhump on 17/01/2019 - 15:54
        +1

        4

        • Krankite on 18/01/2019 - 08:36
          +1

          Seriously what is up with modern kids refusing to share things, you should have sat them down years ago and told them that you are getting one large wife and cut it in to four and if that isn't good enough they will just have to go to bed unloved.

          • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2019 - 14:01
            +1

            @Krankite: King Solomon? Is that you?

  • FSTB on 17/01/2019 - 13:43
    +6

    No, I couldn't care less. If I feel like eating meat then I'll eat it. (Which is every day)

    • unelectric on 18/01/2019 - 13:49
      +2

      Solid reasoning. Imagine an Earth where everyone did whatever they liked.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2019 - 14:02

        Sounds like not North Korea.

        Less glorious. Less supreme leader.

  • bobbified on 17/01/2019 - 13:59
    +3

    …each person should eat no more than 14g (fourteen grams) of meat a day. Out of curiosity, is that something that you could or would do?

    I could, but I wouldn't want the other 336 grams of my steaks to go to waste!

    (Btw - vegans will still tell you, without you asking for their opinion, that 14 grams of meat is still too much!)

    • serpserpserp on 17/01/2019 - 14:30
      +5

      Somebody has never met a vegan before and reads too many vegan memes.

      • HighAndDry on 17/01/2019 - 15:01
        +4

        I wish. Everyone here has had the misfortune of meeting thevofa.

      • belongsinforums on 17/01/2019 - 17:59

        A certain ozbargainer would prove otherwise

      • bobbified on 17/01/2019 - 19:15

        Somebody has never met a vegan before and reads too many vegan memes.

        Read further down this thread. We have another typical vegetarian further down…

  • Seraphin7 on 17/01/2019 - 14:07
    +1

    If I wasn't supposed to eat meat, I wouldn't have evolved to the to top of the food chain.

    • Heracles26 on 17/01/2019 - 16:16

      Not that philosophical arguments tend to work on the layman but what happens when you're no longer at the top of the food chain?

      • Seraphin7 on 17/01/2019 - 16:18

        The probabilities are I'll be dead by then and therefore quite a bit further down the food chain.

        • Heracles26 on 17/01/2019 - 16:20

          Yes well I feel like egoism is something we all need to overcome to some extent

    • vvvvv on 18/01/2019 - 15:00

      See we have an apex predator over here

  • Bid Sniper on 17/01/2019 - 14:14
    +7

    Media has a habit of contradicting itself in 3 month cycles. If you followed every bandwagon, I'm sure you probably die several times over.

    /hugs Weber BBQ

    • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2019 - 11:56
      +1

      Make sure to let it cool down first.

  • KBZ on 17/01/2019 - 14:23
    +1

    Nah I'm good bruh.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2019 - 14:31
    +1

    I only listen to people who are more carbon positive and own more water catchment land than me. There should be a carbon and sustainability footprint listed for anyone getting preachy.

    • Cluster on 18/01/2019 - 10:29

      That goes double for celebrities who think they're qualified to talk about climate change simply because they act in front of blue screens and pretend to get hit for millions of dollars per movie.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2019 - 11:57

      I'm carbon positive and I am off the water grid.

      Eat meat. It is delicious.

  • ihbh on 17/01/2019 - 14:39
    +4

    Eating more insects would help make the planet more sustainable for the meat eaters.

    Or wild animals/pests such as kangaroos, etc. for Aussies.

    • Seedy seed on 17/01/2019 - 15:22

      Insects are in decline yet you wanna kill more… You monster…

    • HighAndDry on 18/01/2019 - 12:12

      Kangaroo meat is seriously underrated. It's not up there with say, a prime cut of wagyu, but compared to your normal $5 steak at the pub? Better imo.

  • ihbh on 17/01/2019 - 14:41
    +2

    is that something that you could or would do?

    Don't do it cold turkey but progressively work your way there if you want.

    I've been progressing to a whole food plant based diet, which requires a lot of plant based proteins.

    • Cliche Guevara on 17/01/2019 - 14:47
      +8

      I think eating cold turkey would still count…

    • Marty-69 on 17/01/2019 - 14:48

      Just use plant based protein powder.

      • CJ31 on 17/01/2019 - 19:23

        I feed my plants animal based protein.

  • jellykingdom on 17/01/2019 - 14:59
    +2

    How could you PHYSICALLY eat 14g of meat per day? Isn't that like a thimble full? Essentially a meat tablet

    • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2019 - 15:04
      +1

      You could slice a John West tuna tempter into sevenths.

    • buckster on 17/01/2019 - 15:37
      +1

      Average it over the week.
      One can of tuna per week?

      One slither of wagyu beef.

    • CJ31 on 17/01/2019 - 19:24
      +2

      Throw a party for you and 20 mates and share a steak.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2019 - 15:05
    +3

    If you are a vegan, great.
    I've been to vegan restaurants, main substitute seems to be nuts, so if you are allergic, it may be hard. I can handle tofu though.

    • unelectric on 18/01/2019 - 13:53

      Nuts?? Which restaurant is this? Vegan meat substitutes include tofu, tempeh, seitan, and beans (lentils, chickpeas, etc). Those are all packed with protein.

      I make seitan chicken that has double the amount of protein as the equivalent portion of chicken breast.

  • Diji1 on 17/01/2019 - 15:13
    -1

    So instead of controlling the causes of climate change that the wealthy benefit from like flying everywhere

    or shipping crap that's made to last 6 months by air

    or shipping water from Fiji to America while poor water quality (meaning it has sewage in it) causes epidemics of diseases

    the answer is to get everyone else to eat vegetables.

    Look, I don't give a shit because I have no children but according to scientists the world is ending and the current response is cool, let's hurry it up because it's happening anyway.

    Hardly seems like a society of rational people.

    • HighAndDry on 17/01/2019 - 15:35
      +3

      Whatever gave you the idea that humans are rational?

    • bobbified on 17/01/2019 - 19:03
      +1

      So… who should I vote for? :P

      • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2019 - 12:00
        +3

        Greens because they understand economics.

  • BuyoTheCat on 17/01/2019 - 15:15
    +1

    Meat comes in 14g? Are we talking about meat or cocaine?

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