General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsVegan diets reduce land-use impacts by 50-86%, water use by 22-70%, and greenhouse gas emissions
Vegan diets reduce land-use impacts by 5086%, water use by 2270% and greenhouse gas emissions by 2170%https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/17/9926
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/17/9926/htm
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,329 posts)result in widespread malnutrition.
https://www.pnas.org/content/114/48/E10301
CousinIT
(9,241 posts)Mine are aware and my health is fine (20+ years now) and no dire warnings from them.
Where people do not learn how to get nutrients from food that is not animal-sourced, sure. Veganism is something learned over time, you don't do it overnight. So that's one problem w/ your argument.
By all means contact the authors of that report and tell them you know better. I'm sure they'll be amused.
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,329 posts)saying lately.
Where people do not learn how to get nutrients from food that is not animal-sourced, sure. Veganism is something learned over time, you don't do it overnight. So that's one problem w/ your argument.
MLAA
(17,288 posts)Im vegan and have at least 10 vegan friends having been vegan 10 to 40 years and all of us are extremely healthy. The only supplement needed is Vitamin B.
In addition to the essential benefits to the planet, there are huge health benefits like prevention and reversal of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers.
If you suffer from any of these health issues message me and Im happy to send you DVD/books as a gift.
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,329 posts)Devil Child
(2,728 posts)But as an unapologetic and guilt-free omnivore I will enjoy reading this when time permits. Thank you.
The malnutrition concern is impossible for me to ignore.
hunter
(38,311 posts)And they think it's NORMAL. At least the vegans have some clue that their dietary beliefs might be controversial.
I quit buying raw meat and milk many years ago. I don't have raw meat in my kitchen unless carnivorous family are visiting. About half the people in my extended family are vegetarian or vegan and I can cook for anyone.
Myself, I'm still some kind of omnivore approaching vegetarian. I'll sometimes order fish in a restaurant, or eat a real hamburger. My wife is vegetarian approaching vegan. We'll both eat eggs and cheese, but not most days.
Substantially reducing my own consumption of meat was no big deal. I gradually learned to cook vegan and vegetarian meals I enjoyed myself and have never suffered the meat cravings people talk about.
We didn't raise our children to see ordinary food choices as any kind of religious issue. If their aunts or uncles or grandparents were serving meat they ate it. They have relatives who fish and hunt and raise farm animals and it would be a stupid thing to fight about. If my wife was away for work and I put hamburger in the spaghetti sauce it was unremarkable. By the time our children were teenagers I wasn't buying any milk, and not a lot of meat. When they went off to college and it was just my wife at home I quit cooking with meat entirely.
My dietary choices are influenced by environmental arguments. Eating less meat and dairy products reduces my environmental footprint. I also don't respect the factory farm meat and dairy industry. Those industries abuse both their workers and their animals. If fading consumer demand combined with strict environmental regulations and labor laws put them out of business that's a good thing.
Cheap bacon isn't a human right. Living on a habitable planet is.
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)Gonna make a BLT today. Your word has moved me to action.
FBaggins
(26,731 posts)Just based on the percentage of the population that would lose the will to live.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Amishman
(5,557 posts)My wife gave up dairy for a month to see if it would help resolve a medical issue (it didn't), and I did it too in support. That was horrible and miserable.
Take meat away from me and I'm really not sure I could cope.
Add in a likely an uptick in obnoxious vegan evangelists, and I might seriously contemplate extreme action. (Seriously, I cannot stand vegans who relentlessly push the issue)
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WhiskeyGrinder
(22,329 posts)and generalized statement is boring.
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Happy Hoosier
(7,296 posts)For me, that is a ketogenic diet rich in animal foods and leafy green vegetables.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,311 posts)It's a scare word you've introduced. What the link says is that some fatty acids and vitamins can't be obtained from their assumed diet with no animal input. So what this means is that vegans need to be careful to include things in their diet that do, rather than going with the diet that study assumed.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323144#vegetarian-and-vegan-sources-of-omega-3
MLAA
(17,288 posts)Happily and healthfully vegan for 8 years or so and vegetarian before that. Everyone benefits from vegan diet especially the animals.
So much easier to be vegan these days with all the vegan foods being produced by specialty and mainstream corporations. Of course healthiest path is whole food plants, but Im a little less healthy and enjoy Impossible burgers, Just Egg products and Trader Joes plant based ice creams.
MuseRider
(34,108 posts)"How can you eat like that?" My answer is, "How can I not?" For me it is important, very important to my soul.
I was a vegetarian for years, trying to go vegan but never made it then I got sick and had a diet that included no fruits or veggies unless cooked to mush and strained. I caved to chicken. 4 years or so later it miraculously went away and I went straight back into being a vegetarian.
I developed heart problems and the first thing they did was do a heart cath after the ECHO was so bad. They were amazed that at almost 67 my arteries were absolutely clean. Then she looked at my chart and said.....oh vegetarian.
I wish people would switch but I rarely say much because I hate being called out for not being a meat eater in Kansas, BEEF ya know?
It was easy giving up meat for me when I thought about it. Not so much for others. They may have little choice in the future.
MLAA
(17,288 posts)the planet or human health associated with plant based diet. So I dont post articles studies very often. Ive decided to just offer to send a poster a gift of free books especially for anyone suffering from heart attack or heart disease. My favorite such book is Prevent a d Reverse Heart Disease. And for young people or athletes of any age I like to recommend The Game Changers Movie. So, so compelling! A healthier life and better erections for men! That will at least make some men listen for a few minutes 🙂
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)That's a very kind gesture on your part.
MuseRider
(34,108 posts)I don't understand it. The first thing I heard when someone offered me a snack that had meat in it and I turned it down without saying a word other than no thank you was, "Oh god, are you a vegetarian?" When I answered yes she remarked that my shoes were likely leather. Jesus. NOT vegan and why would anyone care? It is as if someone looked at their picture and said, "Man, you SO ugly!"
I will have to check out the Game Changers movie. I have never heard of it. As for my heart disease, I am grateful that not one single thing wrong with my heart has anything to do with my diet. My heart is clean and I was kinda oddly proud of that! I am perfectly content now with my diet and do not ever want to have to change a thing until I am ready to go vegan. Cheeeeese, oh my I do not think I could live without good cheese and like someone else said, it is hard to find good vegan cheese.
MLAA
(17,288 posts)I made a list of a few I like after trying everyone that comes down the pike in response to someone elses post in this thread 🙂
Glad you have a healthy heart!
MuseRider
(34,108 posts)It would be nice to switch completely over. I will give them a try.
Fiendish Thingy
(15,601 posts)With a few exceptions, The n is the number of studies compared in the meta analyses.
Meta-analysis is a flawed process highly susceptible to bias, and cannot be considered scientific proof or evidence.
While I agree that veganism is better for the environment than a typical omnivore diet, this meta-analysis doesnt prove it.
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)I'm all for less meat consumption. We're not really beef eaters in my house.
But I read a lot of studies these days for my master's, so I get really interested when someone provides one - I want to see the methodology.
There are problems with taking this study at face value. You pretty much covered it. As soon as I started pawing through the citations, I was like, "Oh."
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)But....I was a world class athlete at one time. World record holder, etc. I decided to try to go vegan for a while. My energy levels plummeted, my strength suffered drastically. While it may be anecdotal to some, it was definitely 100% factual to the person it mattered to most, me!
I still am 100% in the athletic world. I train other elite athletes including world champions currently. I'm 100% behind vegetables, fish, etc. But I do not recommend a total Vegan diet to any of my athletes.
GumboYaYa
(5,942 posts)I eat a mostly plant-based diet but add fish and eggs occasionally. I have always worried about muscle loss and Vitamin B deficiency if I go completely vegan. But there are plenty of examples of people excelling at the really long distances on a 100% plant-based diet.
I guess it may come down to what you need calories for, fuel for the long-term or muscle building. I am interested in your thoughts on this.
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)I was not a long distance athlete. I was a strength athlete and fighter (boxer, wrestler, martial artist). It's a whole different element and a different training mentality and structure.
My/my athletes caloric needs are high, as we train both aerobic and anaerobic. Strength and explosiveness is mandatory.
When I focused mainly on fighting, my calories were about 6000/day to maintain my bodyweight and fitness needs. When I was setting strength lifting records, my calorie needs dropped to around 4500/day. This was to maintain a bodyweight around 220-225lbs. Also, 100% drug free.
I firmly believe in a balanced diet. No extremes one way or the other.
GumboYaYa
(5,942 posts)Ultra running is as much about managing calorie and electrolyte intake as it is the act of running. I take in about 500 calories an hour during a race.
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)I agree with you totally. And I have immense respect for what you do. Ultra running is to me, an elite form of athleticism and one that I simply cannot do.
GumboYaYa
(5,942 posts)Back at you, I am in awe of any athlete that gets to the top of their sport!
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)May I ask what's the longest distance you have run? I knew someone who did ultra marathons and he'd enter competitions where they did it on consecutive days as well.
GumboYaYa
(5,942 posts)20 hours. I am training for an iron man right now. I was invited to run across the Mojave desert a few years ago in a multi-day event. My son and I were on a run and he begged me not to do it because he was worried about me, so I declined. I have always wanted to do a multi-day event and will some time soon.
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)I simply cannot comprehend that...lol. I did ride centuries when I was younger on my road bike and that was cool, but to run for 20 hours straight is amazing to me.
GumboYaYa
(5,942 posts)You feel like you are watching yourself run at a certain point.
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)I can get in the zone as well, but never, ever for as long a period of time as you have.
GumboYaYa
(5,942 posts)You very quickly can move from elation to total devastation. Managing the downs is critical to finishing.
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)Elation to total devastation...sounds like my relationship with my ex wife
GumboYaYa
(5,942 posts)MuseRider
(34,108 posts)Great to see you! I hope all is well!!!
MLAA
(17,288 posts)The Game Changers. It features many well know professional athletes who are vegan and medical doctors explaining why their performance improved with a plant based lifestyle. As a bonus ther is a great segment in the movie with a urologist testing and reviewing the results of 3 college players food choices on their sexual performance. You can watch it on Netflix, Apple TV and other sources.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)tenderfoot
(8,426 posts)44 years old and still in the nhl. Ryan O'Reilly as well.
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,202 posts)If they entered my world and did what we have to do. It's two totally different sports with different needs and skill sets.
awesomerwb1
(4,267 posts)the "fake" meat products will be just as tasty or even more so than actual meat. The options will be plenty.
Can't wait for my pralines and cream flavored "steak". Ok, may take longer for that one but I truly believe we will have a lot of options with all kinds of BBQ flavors etc.
Signed
An omnivore looking forward to a more humane and tasty future
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)The fake cheese market is pathetic though. That's my last weakness. Can anybody help me find a decent fake cheese?
awesomerwb1
(4,267 posts)they're still not there but we're getting close and I can't wait to see a few tough meat lovers prefer the "fake" options rather than the real thing in a not too distant future. Can't say I've tried the fake cheese.
MLAA
(17,288 posts)I love spinach and Cheese ravioli by Kite Hill. I just made it for lunch. Kite Hill also makes cream cheese and sour cream.
Butter (real butter tasting). Miyokos plant based butter. She also makes a number of soft cheese spreads. I like the black truffle best but friends love some of the others.
For grill cheese sandwiches: Chao (3 flavors) and Follow Your Heart provolone. Both brands melt well
For Parmesan I like Follow Your Heart.
Follow Your Heart For Feta crumbles to add to veggie sandwiches or salads.
Hope you like some of these.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)MuseRider
(34,108 posts)It hard to find many of these things here but I can always travel down the road a bit and likely have more luck. I am thrilled to see the Feta. I eat that all the darned time. I find myself stuck in an Indian food frame of mind lately, also Greek but...the feta would be nice.
Thank you. What we don't have here the next town over will and I will be buying and testing.
MLAA
(17,288 posts)Good luck finding it.
We do have a Natural Grocers here but it is almost easier to go to the next town over. LOL! There is a lovely grocery there that has more of everything. Whatever, I really appreciate this.
mcar
(42,307 posts)SO and I are omnivores but we try to make animal protein the smaller part of our diet. We eat a lot of beans (thank you, Instant Pot), veggies, and whole grains. But we also eat fish and chicken and occasional beef.
We like Beyond Burgers (but not the crumbles, they taste like styrofoam). Hubby is good with tofu, I'm not. We've tried various "vegan cheeses" and they are all terrible.
hunter
(38,311 posts)If the U.S.A. drastically reduced its consumption of factory farm meat and dairy products we could return a lot of land to something resembling wilderness.
This could be especially important in areas that are currently experiencing water problems related to climate change, either severe drought or flooding.
Buy the farmers out. If they want to stay, pay them to restore and maintain the land in a natural state.
Maru Kitteh
(28,340 posts)And other stuff too, reason, reason, excuse.
I RECYCLE DAMMIT!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Maybe I could, but I would be miserable. I am just too much of a foodie to restrict my diet that much. Honestly, much of my diet is nuts, green juices, non-dairy smoothies, veggies, legume soups, however I do love cheeses, seafood, the occasional omelette or quiche and even sometimes chicken or other fowl.
MuseRider
(34,108 posts)Nobody HAS to do this although the animals and the planet would be happy if you did. I went very slowly. I gave up red meat all at once and it took me quite a few years to fully change. I have friends who eat strictly vegan 3 times a week. They also fast one evening then they eat whatever they want the other nights. Some do that and then change.
4Q2u2
(1,406 posts)Pets are a large source for Global Warming
Their diets take away food sources for humans and other species of animals.
Their chew toys, harnesses, and leashes all wind up in the land fill. Now they are making CARRIGES for pets.
So meat eaters are not the only Ox to gore around here.
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/the-truth-about-cats-and-dogs-environmental-impact
https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/are-our-pets-bad-for-the-environment/
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/jun/26/pet-food-is-an-environmental-disaster-are-vegan-dogs-the-answer
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,329 posts)4Q2u2
(1,406 posts)Mud Huts for all.
marie999
(3,334 posts)4Q2u2
(1,406 posts)More so than a pet.
For it sustains the Human race.
VEGANGTA
(20 posts)Wife and I went vegan 10 years ago at age 50. I have never had a cold or flu since. My skin condition called KP disappeared and I feel great all the time.
All the new vegan foods available are amazing. If you love animals I highly recommend the new lifestyle.
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)Thanks for posting this!
tman
(983 posts)From a health perspective.
If it works for you, great.
The Revolution
(766 posts)Is this one showing the actual GHG emission numbers. Relative percentages are not that useful in my opinion. So we see that switching to a vegan diet saves about 1 ton per person per year.
So if billions of people switch, you'll start to see some impact. However, I don't think that is very realistic. Certainly not in the timeframe required. A traditional diet was mostly vegetables, but included some meats. That's probably a more realistic goal, but even that will be difficult.
Happy Hoosier
(7,296 posts)Simply put, I've tried almost every diet out there. Despite my near constant struggle I ballooned in size and my health steadily deteriorated.
What finally worked for me? A ketogenic diet rich in animal-based food. And leafy vegetables. I do not eat added sugars (which are perfectly vegan) or processed carbs. I eat very few legumes and almost no grains at all. I've lost a ton of weight and my health is vastly improved.
One of the main reasons this worked for me? I like the food and I do not feel hungry. While there are vegetarian/vegan dishes I enjoy, it would not be a sustainable diet for me.
MLAA
(17,288 posts)If you have a couple hours please think about watching Forks over Knives. I think its on Netflix
Wishing you the best. I think you can watch it for free here.
https://www.forksoverknives.com/the-film/
Happy Hoosier
(7,296 posts)in all sincerity, why would I abandon the only approach that has worked for me and a life (and diet) I actually enjoy?
Seriously.... a year ago, I was one foot in the grave and one foot on the banana peel. When I got the diagnosis of Type II diabetes, I decided to try one more time to do whatever I had to do to salvage what is left of my life. I would have followed ANY diet that was shown to be the best approach to dealing with diabetes, even if that meant Vegan. BUT, the scientific evidence is clear... a keto can and DOES reverse Type II diabetes (at least for me). To be clear, you can be Keto AND Vegan (or vegetarian), though it is obviously more restrictive. But the key is very low carb, moderate protein, and fat to satiety. That works for me. I replaced inflammatory seed oils with butter (delicious!) and healthy plant oils (avocado oil and coconut oil)... and the best part... CHEESE! Cheese is probably my favorite food in the world. I continue to eat meat, though no more than I did before. And if anything, I DO eat more veggies than I did before. I usually had rice or pasta with every meal, and that has been replaced by a second low-carb, high fiber veggie. And I do eat a bit more fat (though not much). But that's the key. The fat keeps me satisfied. I am not hungry, despite actually consuming fewer calories than I did before.
So... sorry for the life story. I just wanted to point out WHY I am likely to hold fast to my current eating patterns. For the first time in my life, I feel like I control my eating, instead of the other way around.
But I WILL watch that doco, and I do respect those who choose other food-ways.
JanMichael
(24,885 posts)Also the whining about "malnutrition" is laughable. I'm 53 and in great shape. Doesn't hurt my resistance maxes (weights) either and helps keep off bodyfat.
Yes pets are environmentally bad. We are not breeders nor have we used them; recues only.
Yes having kids is a direct hit on the environment and resources especially water. No kids here.
Conversely humans have gone past the point of no return with climate change or global warming or whatever we are calling it. 2035 and 2070 will be rougher than anyone can imagine. Who knows how bad but bad.
However the Earth will be fine eventually. Humans not so much.
marie999
(3,334 posts)When the population gets low enough and the Planet starts to regenerate itself the few humans left will find enough food to sustain them. Eventually, humans will be able to build cities and manufacturing will increase, and eventually, there will be enough humans to cause climate change again. This will continue until the earth is destroyed by the sun.
Elessar Zappa
(13,975 posts)point of not having severe consequences from climate change. But we can still prevent worst case scenarios such as the Earth warming past 4 degrees Celsius. We can realistically keep it under 3 if we do the right things. There will still be plenty of problems but at least there would be some mitigation.
Happy Hoosier
(7,296 posts)But one need not be vegetarian to be healthy.
Torchlight
(3,331 posts)When she became aware (and through her, me) about the cost/benefit ratio to the environment by the current standards and practices of the world-wide meat industry.
Cutting back our own intake 75-80% seemed a positive step in the right direction for us. And though it doesn't solve everything immediately, it's a damned good start for the both if us in this regard.
Anytime I miss the brisket sandwich I used to have almost every lunch hour, I just tell myself "only 96 hours before I can indulge my selfishness again"
MLAA
(17,288 posts)Ive got my 86 year old husband down to just keeping miracle whip in the house, a subway tuna sandwich every other week or so and a non-vegan birthday cake a couple times a year.
CousinIT
(9,241 posts)But I also know the "it can't be done/don't do it/it's unhealthy" crowd is wrong. I'm sure the doctors mean well when they insist their patients must eat animal flesh, but.. it's just not so for everyone. Many people CAN do it and DO go vegan or vegetarian. Typically with more health benefits than problems.
But everyone CAN reduce meat and animal product consumption. Factory farms are just evil for their abuse, filth, antibiotics, hormones, etc. The Brazilian Amazon is being totally mowed down to grow soy and corn -- to feed livestock in factory farms around the world - for a lot of profit. It's hideous. If everybody reduced meat/animal product consumption and tried to buy from local farmers or farmer markets instead, it would make a huge difference. No veganism required.
I also worry about subjecting pregnant women, babies and children to vegetarianism or veganism. MAYBE it could be done with strict dietician oversight but for me, I'd let the child decide at 18, 21 or older if (s)he wants to go that route, AFTER (s)he's grown up. So there's that gray area.
If everyone reduced (with some becoming vegetarian/vegan if it works for them) it would made a huge difference. The destruction of the Amazon should be stopped and factory farms reduced.
Shellback Squid
(8,914 posts)budkin
(6,703 posts)I'm thinking of going vegetarian anyway.
VGNonly
(7,488 posts)saves 1100 gallons of water, 45# of grain, 30 sq. ft of forested land and 10# of CO2 daily.
meadowlander
(4,395 posts)And real mozzarella cheese, roast chicken and kielbasa will never crash my car, drain my bank account or tell me they hate me because I ask them to empty the dishwasher.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)CousinIT
(9,241 posts)Yea, I never did the kid thing either. Many reasons. Some of which you hilariously list.
It's a good thing, IMO.
Raine
(30,540 posts)cheese 🧀 and other dairy 🍦 are my weaknesses.
mucifer
(23,539 posts)now. I hope as a vegetarian you can try some vegan options for plant milks, ice creams, chocolates etc and maybe cut back some on the eggs and dairy. There are sooo many non dairy ice creams in the grocery stores. I think it's mostly for the lactose intolerant. Aldi has some good cheap ones.
I'm a vegan who believes every bit helps as we get better and better vegan products.
Meowmee
(5,164 posts)I became very ill while on these diets. I would not do it again. I follow a very specialized diet for my specific health needs.
At this point a lot more than this would be needed to make even a dent on the damage already done. Over population is the cause of the climate issues.
Johnny2X2X
(19,060 posts)Almond milk is incredibly wasteful, it uses an incredible amount of water to grow. One of the most damaging crops environmentally possible. It's also helping to decimate the bee population.
blogslug
(38,000 posts)I have been for the last 30-ish years.