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
What is a hamburger without grilled meat, hotdogs without sausages, or Thanksgiving without turkey? These foods contain an excessive amount of meat that people like to enjoy in their foods which make it tasty and delicious. However, an excessive amount of meat is affecting people’s health because people are consuming more meat instead of the necessary fruits and vegetables that are needed in their body. People do not realize that excessive meat is affecting their health. Most of the human diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are caused because people are consuming a great amount of meat. People fail at having a well-balanced scale in which they can balance their diet and consume smaller portions of everything. It is incredible to realize where meat comes from. According to the article in order to obtain 1 pound of meat it takes approximately sixteen pounds of soybeans and grain.
The Americas didn’t have much to contribute animal wise, the turkey was the only animal sent to be raised in Europe. Now, Americans support a diet consisting of more animal protein than anywhere else in the world.
. . 30 to 40 percent of all cancers are caused by diet”(Davis and Melina 32). The consumption of meat has also been liked to Osteoporosis; “When you eat meat, your blood becomes acidic . . .In order to balance all the acidity, your bones come to the rescue by releasing some of their minerals”(Silverstone 17). “Diets”, in America revolve heavily around meat and dairy products; no wonder cancer is the second leading cause of death.
The red meat studied included beef, pork, lamb and other processed meats. Resent publications detailed the results of the study that began following their participants in 1982. It showed that those with high red meat consumption had a 30-40% increased risk of colon cancer and those who consumed high amounts of processed meat were at a 50% higher risk. High red meat consumption was defined at 3 oz. for men and 2 oz. for women daily. High processed meat consumption was defined at 1 oz. eaten 5-6 times a week for men and 2-3 for women. Even the consumption of white meat, like chicken, showed a 3% increase in risk verses those with a vegetarian
The world has a need for meat, and it is almost obsessive. Most cultures typically consume some sort of domesticated animal in agriculture. Whether it is cows, chicken, lamb, deer, turkey, or fish, many people are not educated to the fact that the alternative diets are better for their health. There are different animal products for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hundreds if not thousands of diverse chain restaurants dedicated to meat consumption.There are also many different holidays around the world such as Thanksgiving and Christmas where meat is consumed. With affordable prices and an acquired taste, it is likely to be a lifelong habit. There are vast miles of subsidized agricultural land dedicated to the cultivation of animals. According to Amir Khan, staff writer for U.S.News, reporting on the American Meat Institute, Americans consume, “57 pounds more meat than they were in the 1950s”(Khan).
With the pros there's the cons as well, "Americans are now eating nearly 200 pounds of meat, poultry and fish every year; an increase of 50 pounds per person in the last 50 years" ( Lumdberg) some very high numbers for what the appropriate amount should actually be.
Tracing back history, food has always been traditionally imperative to humans. Food is what we treasure and really derive pleasure eating. It has been part of every culture and tradition because every culture has its delicacies. In some parts of Nigeria, if you eat a meal that is meatless, people tend to consider you as poor and unable to afford meat. In essence, meat is really considered a big deal in some parts of my country. Growing up as a child, I was taught that I needed the “omnivore’s diet” to grow effectively and be healthy but today, I have discovered that I no longer need animals in my diet. America
In spite of increasing data which points towards the unsustainability of our meat industry, a report called the “Factory Farm Nation,” published by the Food and Water Watch, indicates that the U.S. meat industry has continued to grow over the last decade.
As obesity in America continues to rise, the percentage of meat consumption rises right along with it. According to Obesity in America by the Numbers in 2000, Americans consumed an average of 57 pounds more meat per capita than they did annually in the 1950s, and a third fewer eggs. People are consuming more protein from meats than eggs. This is bad because meats more fat into your body than protein. In a fast food restaurant they do not serve eggs with all their burgers,
Everybody loves meat. From steak to pork chops, it’s all good, just not good for you. In the past few decades, as our population has increased exponentially, so has our demand for food. Because of this, we have changed in the way we get our food. The way that the food is produced has changed and because of this the health risks increased and the environment is also affected. People need to know that there are consequences.
I am really concerned about our eating habits in America, and I am beginning to wonder if the meat industry is negatively affecting America 's health and well-being. During this course I have efficiently held that the meat industry is in high demand, because we have dramatically increased the amount of meat consumed over the last twenty years. My understanding of this topic is that animals such as cows and chickens are being mistreated; this due to them living in small compartments, and in unhealthy conditions. I also think that a lot of bacteria is being created out of the unsanitary conditions in which these animals are kept, This bacteria ends up in our food and is harmful to us. A reason why this topic became very appealing to me is because I grew up in a small town in Mexico. My family’s eating habits were very different from the ones here in the United States. We raised our own cattle and chickens and I now believe that we did so in a healthy environment for animals. We would also cultivate our own vegetables and fruits. I remember the meat having a different taste. The cattle and chickens were not as big as they are here, they didn’t grow as fast, and they surely didn’t reproduce as quickly as they do in farms here.
However there is a slight variation the amount of proteins consumed can be slightly high compared to my normal diet.
According to the article “Meat Analogues” (2017), during the pre-historic era, meat was the best energy sources, high quality proteins, and tasty food ever. This explains that meat is important source of our food basket. However, some people cannot eat meat because of religious purpose, vegetarian and some health problems like cardiovascular and high cholesterols.
First and foremost, eating red meat may cause cardiovascular disease. The animal-based dietary fats that found in red meat, can lead to stroke and heart disease. After you ate the red meat, a great amount intake of cholesterol and saturated fats would be added to your diet, which can accumulate the fatty substance that would
In the year of 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that Americans ate an average of 52.3 pounds of beef, 57.4 pounds of chicken and 43.5 pounds of pork per person.(citation?) Only 5% of Americans are vegetarians and with that much meat eaten by Americans, in one year alone why should you to forced to become vegetarian? With meat being the main staple in the Americans diet there is no reason we should take that of the table. That fact alone shows that most Americans’ diets are made up of meat sources. According to the United States Census Bureau (USCB) the U.S. population was 313.8 million; meaning that 16 billion pounds of beef, 18 billion chicken and 13 billion pounds of pork was eaten by Americans alone in