In the last years, there have been a lot of claims that humans are designed to consume meat, especially with the increase in people going vegetarian or vegan. But, science writer has a theory that we’re actually hooked to meat.
Many people assert that meat consumption is in our genes, that our teeth are made for meat, and that meat supplies us with the necessary nutrients.
But, according to science writer Marta Zaraska and her book Meathooked: The History of Our 2.5 Million Year Obsession with Meat, these claims aren’t nothing more than myths.
Humans Aren’t Designed for Meat Consumption
Zaraska writes that there is a range of vegetarian animals, from water deer to gorillas, with bigger and sharper canines than ours so one cannot claim with certainty that these teeth are meant for meat processing.
She explains that what we don’t have dentally is crucial in this case rather than what we have.
Namely, when you open a dog’s jaw, at the back, you can see their carnassial teeth which are blade-like and ideal for meat slicing. In fact, all carnivores, including raccoons, lions, tigers, and house cats have them, humans don’t.
In terms of nutrients, more specifically protein, we can receive the needed amino acid proteins from plants and Zaraska lists the best sources like quinoa, potatoes, soy, and buckwheat.
What’s more, Neal Barnard, member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, when people go from a meat-based to a plant-based diet, they will consume more important nutrients.
However, vitamin B12 is an exception, especially for vegans, because it’s only found in meat, eggs, and dairy. So, vegans need to consume B12-fortified foods or to take the adequate supplements to prevent deficiency in this crucial nutrient.
But, this doesn’t mean that meat is a way to stay healthy.
Why Do We Crave Meat?
The primary goal of Zaraska’s book was to find out why people worldwide crave meat so much. She concluded that genetic predisposition, culture, and biology all play their role.
She also focuses on busting the meat myth and she is loud about the fake meat in the Netherlands and emphasizes the importance of eating veggies, fruits, legumes, and grains rather than meat.
In her book, she lays out some pretty shocking statistics, i.e. worldwide, the appetite for animal protein is increasing and the estimates by the OECD point out that by the year of 2020, the meat demand in North America will be 8 percent higher, in Europe 7 percent, and in Asia, believe it or not, 56 percent!
What’s more, the consumption of meat in China has quadrupled since the 80s. This being said, how can vegetarians and vegans and the rest of the people who’re doing their best to cut their meat intake keep their hope for improvement in terms of individual and global health and reduction in animal suffering?
The Future Is Plant Meat?
According to the executive director of the GFI, Bruce Friedrich, they use technology to distance global diets from animal meat, eggs, and dairy and move towards cleaner and plant-based alternatives.
They believe that in 25 year period, more than 50 percent of the meat will be plant-based or clean and by 2050, the percentage will rise to 100.
The goal of these technologies is to replicate animal meat with plants which could be an efficient and healthier approach for humanity and the environment.
People’s “Fear” of Meatless Future
Knowing humanity’s cravings for meat, Zaraska questions how would Thanksgiving or summer grills look without turkey and burgers. She believes that a lot of people think these products are required.
According to vegan chef and executive director of Ahisma Health and Harmony, when we come together, we come to share the love we have for each other and in this spirit, animals should be our guests, not in our plates.
For people “programmed” to a meat culture, this may seem an absurd claim because meat for them is the most normal thing or even a symbol of status.
Hence, the key is to shift our points of view and to nourish our empathy for all beings, not just for humans. We don’t need meat to have good time, nor to optimize our health, so we need to break the habit once and for all!
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