Plant-Based Diets

Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark provide insight into the evolution of dietary habits, highlighting how plant-based diets were once commonplace due to limited access to meat, and how prosperity led to increased meat consumption globally.

Plant-Based Diets Once Default From Limited Meat Access

Historically, economic constraints or lack of access made plant-based diets the norm in many regions.

U.S. Colonists Ate More Meat Than in England Due to Abundant Land and Livestock

In the United States, Irish immigrants in the 19th century found meat to be surprisingly abundant, available, and inexpensive. In colonial times, colonists ate more meat than people in England because the abundant land in the colonies supported the raising of more livestock, leading to greater meat consumption, equating the colonists' diet to that of UK elites.

As Nations Become More Prosperous, Meat Consumption Increases

An increase in wealth typically leads to a rise in meat consumption across nations.

Post-WWII, Italy Shifted From a Plant-Based Mediterranean Diet To More Meat

In the case of Italy, after World War II, as the country became more prosperous, there was a shift away from a Mediterranean diet, which was traditionally more plant-based, to a diet that included more meat and dairy.

U.S. Promoted Meat Consumption During 1832 Cholera Outbreak

During the cholera outbreak of 1832, the U.S. government recommended consuming a lot of meat and alcohol while avoiding fruits and vegetables, thinking that would combat the disease. This period also saw a broader cultural emphasis on eating red meat in America.

On a global scale, meat consumption tends to be higher in wealthier nations. ...

Various religions around the world have dietary guidelines and teachings that promote plant-based eating. The influence of religion plays a significant role in how dietary habits are formed and maintained in different cultures across the globe.

Religions Have Dietary Guidelines Promoting Plant-Based Eating

Kosher and Halal Rules For Slaughter and Food

Josh Clark speaks about religious diets, such as kosher, relevant to Judaism, which requires the separation of meats and dairy products alongside specific guidelines for animal slaughter. While a kosher diet is not necessarily vegetarian, the strictness and mindfulness that it demands often result in individuals choosing to eat more plant-based foods, with some becoming vegetarians.

In the context of Islam, Clark mentions halal dietary laws, which, like kosher, include rules about permissible and impermissible consumption of certain animals. While halal diet does not allow shellfish or birds of prey, and permits eating animals like rabbits, the complexity and awareness required to follow such diets often lead adherents to consume more plant-based foods.

Ethiopian Orthodox Church: Over 200 Plant-Based Fasting Days

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has one of the most extensive plant-based dietary practices among religious groups, with over 200 fasting days throughout the year in which adherents abstain from consuming any animal products.

Non-violent Religions, Like Buddhism, Promote Vegetarianism

Japan Banned Meat Due to Buddhism and Confucianism (675-1872)

Clark explains that the principle of nonviolence in Buddhism discourages the killing of animals for food. Although not prescribed as strictly as the kosher or halal diets, the philosophy of avoiding violence often leads people in Buddhist countries to consume less meat. An example of this impact is historic Japan, where from 675 to 1872, the consumption of meat was largely banned due to the tenets of Buddhism and Confucianism.

Moreover, India and Taiwan, countries with high rates of vegetarianism, reflect the influence of prevailing religious doctrines promoting plant-based diets. India’s high proportion of vegetarians—approximately 38% to 39% of the population—is tied to religious practices, which contribute to the country's low ...

Research and discussions by Chuck Bryant, Josh Clark, and others suggest that plant-based diets can offer numerous health benefits but require careful planning to mitigate risks of nutrient deficiencies.

Plant-Based Diets Offer Health Benefits but Need Planning to Avoid Deficiencies

Vegetarians and Vegans Risk Nutrient Deficiencies Affecting Bone Health

Bryant and Clark emphasize the importance of including a variety of colorful vegetables in a plant-based diet to ensure a range of health benefits. They note that vegetarians and especially vegans may risk nutrient deficiencies if their diet is not well planned. For example, vegans might experience a vitamin B12 deficiency since plants do not contain B12. A staggering 52% of vegans and 7% of vegetarians are B12 deficient, in stark contrast to the less than 1% deficiency found in meat-eaters. Consequently, vegetarians have a 25% increased risk of hip fracture, and vegans have a 131% higher risk, even after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, vegetarians have a 20% greater risk of suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, potentially linked to B12 deficiencies, as B12 is crucial for fortifying cell walls.

Plant-Based Diets Lower Cancer, Heart Disease, Stroke Risks

These diets, when properly managed, are associated with a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Switching to smaller meat portions and considering them as a side rather than the meal's centerpiece, along with a focus on grains and greens, can reduce cholesterol levels, aiding those with cholesterol issues. The consensus in the medical community points to the high consumption of red meat as a contributor to negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases and some cancers. Indeed, vegetarians and vegans boast a 10 to 18 percent lower risk of cancer compared to those who consume meat frequently.

Mediterranean Diet: A Healthy, Pr ...

The discussion led by Chuck Bryant unveils the stark environmental impact of the meat industry and simultaneously recognizes that certain plant-based foods also carry a significant footprint, though generally less than that of animal products.

Beef Has a Larger Environmental Footprint Than Plant-Based Food

Chuck Bryant refers to the U.S. factory farming system as a "horror show," implying severe environmental repercussions without citing specific details. However, a 2019 study from the journal Sustainability clarifies that vegetarians and vegans can considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with reductions of 33% and 53% respectively compared to meat-eaters.

Livestock Greatly Impacts Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Deforestation, and Water Usage

When examining the resource demands, beef is highlighted as a particularly egregious offender. It is responsible for 60 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of meat, while poultry is much lower at only six kilograms. Livestock also consumes a staggering one-fifth to one-quarter of all human-used water, primarily driven by animal needs and feed production. The expansion of livestock farming leads to deforestation, which drives 41% of tropical habitat destruction, causing extinctions and threatening an array of species.

Plant-Based Diet Reduces Environmental Impact

Bryant’s critique of factory farming hints at the environmental and animal welfare benefits of a plant-based diet, although he does not directly connect the two in the provided text. However, the environmental merits of reducing beef consumption are alluded to, and the hosts point out that shifting away from beef could substantially reduce environmental damage.

High Environmental Impact of Plant-Based Foods Like Chocolate and Almonds

While plant-based diets are generally more environmentally friendly, chocolate and almonds demonst ...