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Dear Editor, Meat production hurts the environment by polluting water, polluting the atmosphere and contributing to rainforest destruction. Meat consumption is too high in the Radford area based on a sample study I did. In regard to protein intake the amount of meat we eat is unnecessary. I studied two frequently visited restaurants in Radford in order to assess the amount of meat consumption and protein intake. I acquired a copy of all of the orders for the day, and then I separated the orders into meat and vegetarian items. In restaurant number 1, 77% of the items were meat orders; and in restaurant number 2, 76%. I proceeded to calculate how much meat was in each meat item in the second restaurant. I averaged the grams of protein in the meat items. I compared it with the recommended nutrient intakes according to the RDA. According to the RDA, women should get 29 grams of protein, and men 37. The average grams of protein for on restaurant's meat items were 46.56 grams, which exceeds the RDA's recommendation. It must also be noted that the RDA set the requirements high so that it would enough for the bulk of the population, two standard deviations above the requirement. There are possible risks of over consuming protein. According to Whitney and Hamilton in Understanding Nutrition, " a diet that derives more than 15% of its calories from protein, has no benefits and there are possible risks" (115, West Publishing Co, 1981). The more the protein rich food one consumes, there is risk that vegetable and grains will be crammed out of the diet. Higher protein diets require more calcium, which women need dearly. If one chooses to eat less meat or no meat at all they can still find protein in vegetarian foods. Beans and rice make complete protein, which supplies all the essential amino acids. That makes for an efficient, high quality protein. Protein is found in many vegetarian options. In addition to going vegetarian for health reasons, there are environmental concerns that are affected by meat consumption. Meat, dairy, and egg production consume an astounding one-third share of the raw materials used for any purpose in the United States (Earth Works Group). Meat is much more costly to produce than grains and energy is lost in the process of feeding grains to animals. Reducing meat consumption by just 10% would make 12 million tons of grain available per year. That's enough to feed all of the people in the world who starve to death. A plot of land can feed 12 people eating plants and grain, but only one person who is eating meat (Human Society of the United States). When you eat meat you are also consuming antibiotics, pesticides, hormones, artificial colors, tranquilizers, and appetite stimulates. Most food poisoning comes from animal based products. According to research by Amy Anchor, between 1960 and 1985 nearly 40% of all Central American rainforests were destroyed to create pasture for beef cattle. Livestock consumption consumes half of our water (Living Earth Learning Project). Every steak has the same global warming effects as a 25-mile drive in a car (LELP). I feel that my research should make people reconsider how much meat they consume, the consequences of such consumption, and how unnecessary it is. I just think people should reduce the amount of meat they eat by not being selfish and thinking of it's environmental impact regardless if they care for their health or not. Or better yet, reduce meat intake for both your health and the environment.
Emily Hewitt |
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