Meat of the matter
Brunch|September 10, 2022
Does meat-eating really do severe damage to your health and to the planet? The evidence suggests that the real danger comes from dairy and from processed foods
VIR SANGHVI
Meat of the matter

Many thoughtful people in the West are beginning to worry about how much meat they eat. In many countries where vegetarians were once regarded as oddballs, restaurants are making a conscious attempt to cater to them.

But as the doubts about a mostly meat-based diet grow, important questions are beginning to be asked about how much damage the production of meat actually does to the planet and how exactly it does this damage. Nor is it clear if every bright and shining new trend that has been thrown up by the eat-more-plants campaign is here to stay.

Let's take the example of plant-based 'meat'. Around five years ago, it was being talked about as the next big thing. Companies that produced plant-based 'meat' saw huge interest from investors and share prices zoomed. Burger King (in the US) put a plant-based burger on the menu and its sales soared. The day is not far off, we were told, when the planet will be saved and public health will improve because we will all switch to plant-based 'meat' from the real thing.

Yeah, well, may be.

All the current evidence suggests that we may have overestimated the appeal of plant-based 'meat'. Beyond Meat, the company that pioneered the production of plant-based burgers and the like reported disappointing first quarter results. It declared a net loss of 100 million dollars and a significant drop in total revenue. Figures for the sector as a whole show that it is not growing as much as expected. And it looks as though plant-based 'meat' has had very little impact on US meat consumption. The figures suggest that it has either held steady or actually gone up.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 10, 2022 من Brunch.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 10, 2022 من Brunch.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من BRUNCH مشاهدة الكل
Is It Scrolling Or Screening?
Brunch

Is It Scrolling Or Screening?

Being on the phone while the TV plays is the new normal. Just don't do it when there's company. A case for what it means to be present

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
This week, we're...
Brunch

This week, we're...

Preferring the spinoff.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
The newest tricks in the book
Brunch

The newest tricks in the book

Time is money. Here are the best hacks for saving precious seconds and taking even your everyday feed to the next level

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
Snuffing out the flames
Brunch

Snuffing out the flames

Has online dating peaked? People are ditching the apps, going old-school, and aiming for IRL connections. Here's how the swipe failed a whole generation

time-read
3 mins  |
November 16, 2024
Off the eaten path
Brunch

Off the eaten path

In hotels, cafes and home kitchens cooks are getting creative with food waste. Tomato skins show up in a cake, fat flavours broths, peels have fresh appeal. Of course, we're cheering this change

time-read
5 mins  |
November 16, 2024
Glamming up your getaway
Brunch

Glamming up your getaway

Every island in the Maldives is stunning. So how do resorts offer a luxury upgrade? At Cheval Blanc it's by elevating every experience-food, service, spa and beyond

time-read
3 mins  |
November 16, 2024
Benefits with friends
Brunch

Benefits with friends

Of course it's harder to make friends as we grow older. Responsibilities, increase, time is short. Luckily, we have our tribes

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
A portrait to reflect upon
Brunch

A portrait to reflect upon

Playing with lighting and layering, a young Amrita Sher-Gil depicted herself as bold, mischievous, and enigmatic - all at once

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
Keep your trope shut
Brunch

Keep your trope shut

A divided world, a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a prophecy, a burden too heavy for a young adult. 10 YA dystopian cliches to vanquish in battle.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
Sanjeeda Shaikh
Brunch

Sanjeeda Shaikh

Actor, @IAmSanjeeda

time-read
1 min  |
November 16, 2024