There is a growing community that is against eating meat and supporting the agricultural industry.
As of 2018, about 8% of Americans are on a diet that cuts back on or eliminates animal products from their consumption, according to Gallup. This is due to an array of reasons including animal rights advocacy or environmental impact. However, how much does this impact a person’s health or the environment?
“If it’s a moral compass … great. [However,] there is a significant amount of nutrients that we do get from our meat and animal products. They can be replaced with non animal products and plant based [products],” Karin Evans, a professor of human nutrition, said. “It takes a lot of work … focus and energy into making sure they are meeting those [nutritional] needs.”
When individuals make the decision to cut certain animal products out of their diet and not replace it properly with a plant based product it can lead to health concerns. Many common deficiencies from these diets include iron, calcium, CB12, B12 and B6.
“There are a lot of symptoms that people dismiss as minor … which can actually be a manifestation of a true deficiency from a diet where you are eliminating things,” Evans said. “If someone is attempting to do this … pay attention to your body.”
It is recommended for those interested in cutting animal products out of their diet to consult with a nutritionist that can provide information on how to properly diet to fit the needs of their body. Without this, it can lead to symptoms that can later become a problem.
“We can talk to them about how to prepare those vegetables so you are not losing those nutrients, how you compliment those foods better, what kinds of foods do you need to include,” Wanda Koszewski, professor and Department Chair of Human Nutrition, said. “[People who lack their nutritional needs] can get really tired, get constant colds. We are only asking people to eat 4 to 6 ounces a day. That’s enough to meet your nutritional needs.”
People who do not consume animal products are advised to pay attention to the amount of nutrients in their diet.
“So if you need more calcium you can absorb up to 25 to 30% from milk but when you drink the nut milks that are calcium fortified you are only absorbing 5 to 10% of that calcium and you can’t get anymore,” Koszewski said.
One concern for some people who choose to stop consuming animal products is the negatively portrayed environmental impact of the agricultural industry.
“Agriculture makes up less than 9% of the environmental impact but it’s the one thing people can focus on. Cars and industry are the number one contributors in the world,” Koszewski said. “Farmers are probably one of the most … sustainable industries we have in this country.”
Diets without animal products are more impactful on the environment and are modified.
“The impossible burger [is] a product that is created in a lab. It’s one of those things people look at and think oh its animal free,” Evans said. “It’s all plant based but its all extraction and manipulation on plants in a lab created. They alter a component of soy to create something.”
Photo: Olivia Esselman/ The Johnsonian
