Meat Consumption In America

Most would argue that America provides the top options in food variety. However, it seems that when given the choice between a pound of meat and a pound of vegetables, the more popular choice is the prior. The average American ingests approximately 207.7 pounds of meat per year, and this results in the U.S. being the second highest consumer of meat products under Luxembourg (Barclay). While a large number of Americans seem to be leaning towards vegetarianism, they are still the minority. Even with the disturbing information regarding how our meat is produced, the meat consumption levels continue to rise. According to Mark Bittman in his TED talk What’s Wrong with What We Eat, by simply decreasing our meat consumption, we can be healthier, happier,

Procuring food became a cultural aspect as well as a necessity. Early societies began as nomadic hunters and gathers, relying solely on the land to provide them with the necessary sustenance. While history often paints the picture of ancient peoples as great hunters, most societies gained their nutrients from plants. However, about 10,000 years ago the Neolithic Revolution began in the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia. This was a transition from food collecting to food production, and this allowed societies to be more sedentary. This rise in food production lead to the increase in pastoralism or animal husbandry. Pastoralism by definition means keeping domesticated animals in herds. Animal husbandry is found primarily in areas with dry, infertile soil where plants cannot grow (Fletcher). However, domesticating animals to be a food source is indeed a science. There are limitations and factors that go into picking the right animals. According to evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond, six criteria must be met in order to domesticate an animal: diet flexibility, a calm temperament, the ability to be bred in captivity, a quick maturity rate, a disposition that makes them not panicky, and their ability to recognize a clear leader in a social hierarchy (“New World”). What was originally the science behind a 10,000-year-old practice has proven to still hold fast in today’s modern

Meat consumption has risen over the years, and has caused the need for quick and easy production. Antibiotic use reigns as the key ingredient in animals feed, as well as the average America’s diet. Things like soy and buying locally grown food give us options beyond the meat in the store, however, companies like Tyson still rule the food industry. The government can place regulation on top of regulation on a company, but the real change comes at the hands of the consumer. The consumer has the right and the ability to demand better, healthier food products. When given the choice between a pound of corn-fed meat versus a pound of grass-fed meat, create your own third option. Opt for soy or vegetables. Opt for a healthier and informed