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Meat Is The Staple Of The American Diet

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Meat has become a staple in the American diet. According to an article published by
NPR, an average American was eating 207.7 pounds of meat per year in 2010 (Barclay). After research came to light linking cholesterol and saturated fat found in meat products to heart disease, new food and health guidelines have suggested lowering the amount of meat eaten in the average diet. The new USDA food guidelines, “MyPlate,” were formed in 2010 and propose eating 5 ½ oz. of protein foods a day for a basic 2,000 calorie diet. In their description of what type of protein foods to eat, they promote more fish consumption, varying protein sources to include plant-based proteins, and keeping “meat and poultry portions small and lean.” While this is an improvement from past food guidelines, it is not enough. The USDA is continuing to do
Americans a disservice by promoting meat consumption in general because it leads to serious health problems, cruelty to animals, and environmental degradation.
One of the largest, most studied, and tangible arguments against eating meat is the negative health effects it has on the human body. Its consumption has been linked to obesity, cancer, and many organ disorders. According to a study published in the International Journal of
Obesity, there is a positive association between meat consumption and obesity (Wang and
Beydoun 621). The same study found that eating meat has been related to higher risks of many chronic diseases, but increasing the consumption of

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