Is This A Wake-Up Call To Reduce Meat In Our Diet

[CalGalTraveler]

A CNBC market pundit over the past few days has been discussing Beyond Beef, a beef substitute made from plant material.

One of the trends he believes this pandemic is accelerating is the adoption of products like Beyond Beef into millennial diets. He believes that Beyond Beef is now shifting from a novelty to mainstream adoption. Much of this fueled by millennials who want more sustainable, healthier products. I've seen this transition firsthand with my own millennial relatives.

This got me thinking:

1) Covid-19, SARS etc. would never have happened if there was less demand for meat and meat markets were minimized. How often have we heard about pandemics being caused by plant to human transmission? I can't think of any.

2) The mess in the USA meat plants: Rampant Covid transmissions and inhumane conditions for workers which mirror that of The Jungle published a century ago.

3) Overcrowded conditions on stock farms and the emissions to CO2 from cattle.

4) Over-consumption of red meat causes a myriad of health issues including heart disease.

Perhaps this is a wake-up call that the high volume methods in which meat is produced and sold is not sustainable to the planet and ultimately to human life via pandemics and heart disease.

Although I don't think my family would completely give up meat, this is giving me pause. I am going to start testing Beyond Beef and other plant based products to substitute and see if we can augment with plant based products and reduce our meat consumption.

Has anyone tried Beyond Beef or have recommendations on similar products?

 

[bluehende]

I love meat but for all the reasons you have detailed we try to go meatless 1 or 2 nights a week. It was actually much easier than I thought.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@bluehende Glad this has been easier than thought. Do you have suggestions for protein substitutes?

I enjoy a steak on the BBQ but will now reserve it for special occasions.

 

[bluehende]

@bluehende Glad this has been easier than thought. Do you have suggestions for protein substitutes?

I enjoy a steak on the BBQ but will now reserve it for special occasions.

The easy one is pasta. Add vegetables and use pesto or alfredo sauces and you do not miss meat.

I use cashews instead of chicken occasionally in a stir fry

Mac and cheese. Dairy does not help all of the reasons to not eat meat but is easy substitute.

Our big one is beans. I really like beans and rice. My beans are canned kidney, simmered with salsa and herbs. Put this over rice with or without cheese.

rarely but sometimes tofu instead of chicken in a dish. DW is not fond of tofu

we have done the new meatless burgers but enjoy those above more.


We enjoy steak too and do not worry about it. For health reasons we go beef once a week.

 

[Panina]

A CNBC market pundit over the past few days has been discussing Beyond Beef, a beef substitute made from plant material.

One of the trends he believes this pandemic is accelerating is the adoption of products like Beyond Beef into millennial diets. He believes that Beyond Beef is now shifting from a novelty to mainstream adoption. Much of this fueled by millennials who want more sustainable, healthier products. I've seen this transition firsthand with my own millennial relatives.

This got me thinking:

1) Covid-19, SARS etc. would never have happened if there was less demand for meat and meat markets were minimized. How often have we heard about pandemics being caused by plant to human transmission? I can't think of any.

2) The mess in the USA meat plants: Rampant Covid transmissions and inhumane conditions for workers which mirror that of The Jungle published a century ago.

3) Overcrowded conditions on stock farms and the emissions to CO2 from cattle.

4) Over-consumption of red meat causes a myriad of health issues including heart disease.

Perhaps this is a wake-up call that the high volume methods in which meat is produced and sold is not sustainable to the planet and ultimately to human life via pandemics and heart disease.

Although I don't think my family would completely give up meat, this is giving me pause. I am going to start testing Beyond Beef and other plant based products to substitute and see if we can augment with plant based products and reduce our meat consumption.

Has anyone tried Beyond Beef or have recommendations on similar products?

I use Beyond Beef and like it. Another tugger I know tried it and disliked it. My other half who is a big meat eater love Beyond Beef burgers and the meatballs or lasagna I use it for. He still likes his meats but surprisingly asks for the beyond beef burgers.

 

[am1]

Im not going to eat anything with a list of ingredients as long as fake meat as if I can avoid it.

 

[SteveDavis]

This would be very difficult. I love meat, but will try to eat it less. Perhaps it helps.

 

[rapmarks]

My husband won’t eat red meat or pork. Chicken and fish salads and pasta is basically our diet.

 

[Brett]

the 'impossible burger' is OK - but a medium rare steak is great

 

[MrockStar]

Solent Green anyone ?