Eating too much of it risks chronic disease, growing it contributes about an eighth of human-made climate pollution, and there is evidence linking it to certain cancers.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s no denying meat \u2013 especially red and processed meat \u2013 remains a firm fixture on dinner plates. This is especially the case for blokes, posing a masculine challenge to the climate crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of pure consumption, there are very large discrepancies \u2013 and consistent discrepancies \u2013 between men and women in how much meat they consume,\u201d says Lauren Camilleri, a social psychology researcher at Victoria University who investigates the connection between meat eating and masculinity.<\/p>\n
The stereotype that men and meat are an inseparable pair plays out in research. A French study last year<\/a> found motoring and eating habits led to a 26% emissions disparity between men and women.<\/p>\n Other research finds that, when adjusted for differences in energy needs, men still consume more meat than women. They are also likely to be more resistant to reducing meat consumption, and to adopting plant-based diets. The exception is when deteriorating health or a veggie-sympathetic romantic partner prompts a change.<\/p>\n Overall, there\u2019s a persistent theme: many men see meat eating as an expression of manhood, and view attempts to force change to their diets as a personal \u2013 even emasculating \u2013 threat.<\/p>\n Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email<\/a><\/p>\n This likely stems, Camilleri says, from longstanding cultural and symbolic associations \u2013 the myths that meat is masculine and plants are feminine; that men are hunters, women gatherers; that real men eat meat<\/a>.<\/p>\n But as the planet heats up, the need has never been greater for men, and the men in our lives, to shake up meal time.<\/p>\n More meat than ever<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s dietary guidelines recommend whole grains and vegetables to meet more than half a person\u2019s daily energy needs.<\/p>\n They suggest a maximum of three servings from a food group containing lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and legumes \u2013 an egg for breakfast, a tin of tuna for lunch, and a 65g cooked, lean steak for dinner, for example.<\/p>\n Many Australians \u2013 especially men \u2013 exceed the meat quota. September data<\/a> from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed two-thirds of Australian blokes eat meat. Of those, more than half consume at least 198g of meat products every day \u2013 exceeding daily recommendations. Overall, the typical Aussie meat eater consumes 13g more meat a day than a decade ago.<\/p>\n Excessive meat consumption has associated health risks. \u201cAnimal products tend to be very high in saturated fatty acids,\u201d says Dr Luigi Fontana, director of the Charles Perkins Centre Royal Prince Alfred Clinic in Sydney. He highlights multiple clinical trials showing links between saturated fatty acids and heightened LDL cholesterol, a major factor for cardiovascular diseases. Processed meat is also considered carcinogenic, and red meat is a probable carcinogen<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fontana also points to research showing animal products contain certain amino acids that enhance some ageing pathways, and metabolites that increase stroke risk.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m shocked that despite this evidence \u2026 animal consumption has increased,\u201d Fontana says.<\/p>\n Then there are environmental considerations; the agriculture sector accounts for almost a fifth of Australia\u2019s total carbon pollution. Of agricultural emissions, most come from livestock methane.<\/p>\n Many advocates for climate-friendly lifestyles tout vegetarianism or veganism as solutions. These are the diets that most substantially slash carbon footprints \u2013 but with many men drawing a sense of self from the cut on their plate, a more practical solution may be to adopt a flexible approach.<\/p>\n Meat me halfway?<\/p>\n