Please re-read the article more carefully. I did not, and would not, recommend cutting back to only one serving of protein a day. I did recommend only one serving of protein from meat per day. That is a very large difference.

As for negative health effects associated with high meat consumption, you are mistaken. There have been several studies that have demonstrated a strong causal correlation between diets high in animal products and several different diseases.

I don’t think recommending that people get protein from plant sources is extreme. If you do, that is your choice. I would have to say that it is rather conflictual to agree that US Americans eat too much meat then call me extreme for recommending that people get protein from sources other than meat.

While there are some people who eat too little fat, there are a much greater number of people who eat way too much fat, most of which comes from animal products. Let’s keep in mind that the healthiest fats come mostly from plants.

I appreciate your input, but I encourage you to read more carefully before you comment next time.

1 serve of protein per day is not enough let alone too much. I’m not a body builder or a meat head of any sorts, in fact I don’t even go to the gym, but I am nutritionally educated enough to know that protein from animal sources has not cause any diseases. Yes there have been theories but, they have all been inconclusive. Although Americans may eat too much protein, they may not need to go to the extreme of cutting back to one serve. Protein is a macronutrient, a vital macronutrient, this makes it a separate source of food/ energy so it can be seen as a separate food group without it being dangerous for health. Most people are actually eating too little protein in relation to the carbohydrates they eat. They also eat too little fat because of the hype on low fat dieting. This leads to a lack of satiety, an increase in the risk of lifestyle related diseases and an increased risk of excess weight gain. I agree that people could cut down on how much meat they eat, however going from one extreme to the other is not the right answer

Thank you, Libby! Excellent points. I love the sciency stuff myself. I appreciate you adding this!

And a quick disclaimer – my advice is not meant to take the place of professional medical advice. I’m just an amateur nutritionist, so don’t go drink a bottle of vinneagar and polish it off with a box of baking soda, I’m pretty sure that might kill you or do some serious damage. If you have serious concerns about your pH level – talk to your doctor 🙂

The reason animal proteins are considered unhealthy is because the amino acids in them are sulphur based amino acids. Personally – and this is different for everyone’s bodies and beliefs – meat is okay in moderation. MOderation being 1/3 of what the average american consumes or even less and ONLY antibiotic free, grass fed or free range, nonprocessed meats (i.e. no nitrates as preservatives – ham, bacon, etc.). The body can handle moderate proportions, but in excess meat/animal products leave our bodies acidic (think of the pH scale you learned about in HS science – yeah it’s back). Our blood stream must remain at 7.4 (slightly alkaline). If you go .1 above or below that, you’ll likely be in the hospital or dead. The good news is our body holds a stable pH level through various means of homeostasis. The bad news is, when we eat a highly acidic diet (mostly meat, dairy, eggs, grains, nuts, except almonds) our body has to pull calcium and other minerals from our bones to use as a base to bring our blood back to a more alkaline level of 7.4. Contrary to what most believe, dairy is not a good source of calcium and makes the body acidic and, therefore, the body takes calcium out of the bones to stabalize the blood. Not a cure for osteoporosis. Also, contrary to instinct – acidic foods aren’t necessarily acidic in the body. Citrus fruits and raw cidar vinnegars are acidic to taste, but in the body they are actually alkalizing (Note: There are certain medical conditions that changes the acid/alkaline foods to be the opposite – don’t make major changes without consulting your doctor). Baking soda, in very small portions, can also help alkalize the blood. You can get pH strips at local grocery stores, pharmacies or online to test your pH.

I’m baffled at how many people I know don’t eat veggies at all and are even still standing … baffled. Meat is slowly becoming a side, rather than a main course in our house (shhhhh don’t tell my boyfriend, I’m implementing this slooowly 🙂 ). You bring up some great points Amanda – we eat WAAAAAAAAAY too much protein in America.

I love this article, and never really thought about the environmental impact of meat. I hope you don’t mind I threw in everything I’ve learned in the past month 🙂 I never fully understood why a high meat-protein was so bad until recently and it was the sciencey explanation (and I probably didn’t do science any justice at all here, but this is how I understand it) that helped me change my ways. I can tell a HUGE difference when I eat more plants than meats. Not ready to give up my bacon, but definitely changing how I view my portions and what is considered moderation.