The failures of the USDA in making a safe and humane food system

I ate tuna heart mayo yesterday so I'm gonna keep my mouth shut. (On asparagus)

I'm just curious as to why eating meat every day is a bad thing? Cheap eggs, cheap meat...I'm a pretty frugal shopper, I'd be less than thrilled if the prices went up any more than they already have.

I guess there are other ways to get protein out there, and I do eat my share of soybeans, nuts, peanut butter, beans, etc. The thing is, I understand that animals are treated badly, but who's to say that farm raised cows and chickens would be treated any better? My dog was found on a "farm", starving and abandoned. God only knows how the other animals there were treated.

I don't think meat should be a luxury. I mean, back in the caveman days, all people ate was meat. I feel shitty if I don't eat enough. To be honest, I don't really think an organic, clean, diet is exactly a good idea. What happens when you find yourself in a situation where you can't afford it or it isn't available? You're body isn't going to react well being reintroduced to all the crap you've done without for so long.

I've had to either go without or eat some fucked up shit in my day. I'll pretty much eat anything. And really, nothing upsets my stomach at this point. But when I can cook and enjoy my food, I don't like using tofu, or turkey that's disguised as something else. I like real butter, and whole milk. And it may not be the healthiest of options, but like everything else, you use it in moderation.

This will take 20 minutes of your time and answer all your questions:

http://www.ted.com/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wrong_with_what_we_eat.h...

The speaker is talking about the harm of fast food and meat. I don't think this exactly pertains to my question. It's not like I'm suggesting you sit around eating meat all the time. I love meat. But a meal, to me, is meat, two or three vegetables, a salad of some sort...I mean, that's a dinner.

This video is talking about fast food and animals together. As if they are one and the same. I don't get that. A filet of salmon or tuna is hardly the same as a burger. I rarely eat fast food. But there is a difference between meat and fast food. There's also a difference between eating what the majority eats, and what a health concious person eats.

White bread vs whole grain
Raw vegetables vs canned goods
Meat vs canned or processed meats
Fast food vs home cooking
Fresh fruits vs canned

I cook well. I cook enough for me to eat, sometimes my roomate or my boyfriend. Food is produced as it is demanded. I can't do much about that. You have people out there that believe a family dinner consists of tv dinners or frozen entrees, or what have you. Fast food, chinese, pizza...Yeah, you're not going to get rid of these things.

I eat meat every day, as I said. But it's not always red meat, sometimes it's chicken, fish, shellfish, eggs, venison...I rarely eat pork. I also eat a lot of vegetables and fruit. Most of which is raw. Overeating is a lifestyle choice. Not one of mine, but I'm sure there are people that would say I eat more than is healthy. But I'm also very active, that's probably why I get away with eating like I do. America is one of the few countries that have a vast amount of choices when it comes to food. Junk food is readily available and quick. Americans are all about NOW. It's why we're the most overweight country in the world. The sad part is, a box of mac n cheese, it takes ten minutes to prepare, costs about a dollar, and feeds all your kids. Broccoli or squash...about three dollars a pound, takes a bit more time to prepare, your kids probably won't eat it, you still have to make something else, and it spoils if you don't use it right away. It's all about cost effectiveness and time management. Sometimes, it's just downright laziness. Preparing a well balanced meal is just too hard for most people.

I say eat meat. Watch your cholesterol, body fat percentage, activity level...etc. Everything in moderation, and balance your diet with a healthy activity level.

Wasn't your question "Why is eating meat every day a bad thing?" Because he most certainly does answer that. Heck, you don't even have to listen to the video to get that much, it's right there is the description:

New York Times food writer Mark Bittman weighs in on what's wrong with the way we eat now (too much meat, too few plants; too much fast food, too little home cooking), and why it's putting the entire planet at risk.

He also doesn't say that meat and fast food are "one and the same"!  How you came away with that boggles my mind. Yes, the speaker addresses both because his subject is  "what's wrong with what we eat".

I see that. But he constantly says, too much meat AND fast food. Like theyre equally bad for you. I'm only saying that yes, if you're eating too much meat, eating more plants and vegetables will allow for a healthier you. But I still don't understand why eating meat every day is TOO MUCH. Where is he getting this information? Why were no studies cited? What is his basis? I mean, I'm not well versed in nutrition, but I can tell you I feel shitty and bogged down when I eat fast food. Everyone knows this. When you eat a well balanced meal, you feel energetic. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. I feel great on my current diet. So when someone tells me I'm eating to much meat, I'm inclined to wonder, Why??

Because meat consumption/production is DESTROYING THE PLANET. It's not about how YOU PERSONALLY FEEL AFTER YOU EAT A BURGER.

Gah.

You can read his book for his sources: http://www.markbittman.com/books/food-matters

Yeah, I understand the methane emissions, blah blah blah. But people are never going to stop eating fast food. Some people are ADDICTED to that shit. The only thing that would ever work is finding some better ways of farming, cause you're never going to reduce the demand for meat.

Anyway, I'm suprised he didn't mention the toxic waste that comes from pig farming. HOLY SHIT.

Can you cite your sources, please?

Here are some stats from an food service industry organization whose purpose it is to assist food service businesses to maximize profits i.e. getting people to spend money eating out.

"Operators looking for a more-business-based reason to offer meatless selections can find motivation in recent consumer data: Although New York City-based Harris Interactive reports that 3% of Americans are everyday vegetarians, R&I’s 2010 New American Diner Study finds that 23% of consumers are eating more meatless entrées than they did a year ago. Meanwhile, 40% of nonvegetarians say they sometimes order vegetarian or vegan menu items just because they sound good."

http://www.rimag.com/article/452341-Menu_Trends_Meatless_Mains.php?rssid...

Going Green: http://www.rimag.com/article/373546-Green_and_growing.php

I'm not sure what sort of sources you're looking for, I was simply stating I don't think the meat industry is ever going to see a production decrease. But I could be wrong...

I'm really not trying to argue with you in a hostile sense, but this is something that I find very interesting (the vegan/vegetarian/non debate). I'm wondering if perhaps the percentages have gone up because there are more people to influence these polls now then in previous years? Not to mention that vegan/vegetarian has become the "green" thing to do...

Just curious really. I mean, I cook pasta alfredo sometimes, which has no meat, but has a cream sauce (so I think it's still not vegetarian?), because it sounds good or I'm in the mood for it, but I really would never consider ending my meat consumption full stop. I'm anemic, so I crave red meat quite often. But I've found that iron rich foods aside from meat do help. The odd thing is, I never crave them, though. Only red meat.

But hey, to each his own, I suppose. I dated a pescatarian onces. That was horrid, lol.

That twenty minute talk is so incredibly informative and clearlyly/plainly/simply explained that I can't believe it all went right over your head. Or maybe you just zoned out and didn't gather anything except that there was discussion of both meat consumption and fast food!

You asked what his sources are? What are yours for a comment like: "The only thing that would ever work is finding some better ways of farming, cause you're never going to reduce the demand for meat."

That's an opinion based on what exactly? The fact that you're anemic?

I'm not trying to be hostile either, but your rambling and self-involved take on what is not just a health issue, but an environmental one is mind-boggling.

Bittman is not a vegetarian, and he doesn't suggest that people give up meat entirely. My point in bringing up the vegetarian stats is because you said that there is no way to reduce the demand for meat. People are reducing their meat consumption in the US. Though that's not true of other countries which are increasing their consumption as more people can afford to eat cheaply produced meat.

It's an issue I care deeply about and something I enjoy discussing, so you're irritating me...I mean, how could you not get that that talk wasn't about YOUR health and activity level!? And when I finally explained it to you you went blah blah blah.

Do you know that Compass Group, the worlds largest food service provider for hotels, hospitals, universities and places like Google just worked out a flexitarian plan urging people to give up meat once a week to reduce the impact of meat production? Do you realize how huge that is?? The largest food service provider in the WORLD making a stand on an issue like this, acknowledging the problems, taking a stance that political! It makes me feel optimistic and giddy.

Stuff your face with cheap meat for as long as you can, because the industry is slowly changing.

I actually read that article. Very interesting and rather freaky. Makes me want to become a vegetarian....but alas, my food options (and tastes) are so limited, that I would probably die of starvation.

Try it for just one day a week. I'll help you! Tell me all the foods you hate or are allergic to(or whatever it is that limits your food options), and I'll see if I can come up with a one day vegetarian meal plan. It'll be fun, I swear!