One of the major food trends that has experienced rapid growth, at least in discourse if not in behavior, is the need to reduce per capita meat consumption in favor of a plant-based diet. This phenomenon presents certain nuances, since meat consumption per inhabitant is not comparable in countries with diets particularly based on large quantities of red meat, to those where culturally red meat consumption is not habitual, in addition to economic factors that make meat more or less accessible to people.
There are health, ecological, and economic reasons that groups supporting or opposing meat reduction use to justify their actions. However, among the messages that are widely disseminated, there is often no distinction between, for example, becoming completely vegan and avoiding any type of meat or animal product, and simply reducing the portion of meat consumed by integrating more plant-based foods into the diet. Between these two extremes, there is a world of difference in habits, choices, and daily consumption practices.
Scientifically, the different motivations for people deciding whether or not to stop eating meat have been studied. It has been found that motivations range widely, from health reasons to social stigma, including food preferences, the construction of taste, and ethical motivations regarding global warming and animal suffering. Not all people who stop eating meat share all these motivations.
The motivations of both groups are diverse. Some people believe that a plant-based diet helps prevent certain chronic-degenerative diseases, while others believe that eating meat is indispensable for obtaining high-quality proteins, building muscle more easily, and preventing nutrient deficiencies. Among ecological motivations, those in favor of reducing meat consumption do so because of the impact of production on global warming. Those not convinced range from not believing in global warming at all, to a more measured stance, considering that one person reducing meat consumption makes little difference in stopping climate change. Regarding social norms or stigma, some consider that eating meat is outdated, or their close circles are activists in this sense, while for meat consumers, especially festive meals and special menus are not enjoyed the same way without meat. In some contexts, meat consumption still signifies purchasing power.
Although there are multiple reasons for consuming or not consuming meat, in reality, reasons and behaviors are not shown so categorically: indeed, there is always a gap between what is said, what is thought, and what is actually practiced, since food decisions are made with both objective and subjective elements and not always under strict rationality.
— This article was originally published in Spanish by Liliana Martínez Lomelí. Translation generated with AI from the original text.
Read in El Economista →