I could easily be a vegetarian. I mean, I like meat just fine, but I also love meals without meat. Beans, rice, pasta, grains, fruits and veggies; I could happily live on any combination of those and never really miss meat. But the men in my life don’t operate that way. They eat meatless meals a few times a week because that’s what I prepare, but they are big meat eaters. And I guess they are typical American men in that regard.
American men eat 57% more meat that women. Fifty seven percent. That’s a LOT more meat! I’d always heard the expression “meat and potatoes guy,” but I didn’t realize how much of the male population it applied to. According to a U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, it’s A LOT! In fact, most men eat more protein than the daily recommended amount, while most women eat less or about what is recommended.
There are some theories on why that is so. Many men tend to view meatless meals as incomplete and believe that humans are designed to eat a lot of meat. I’m not exactly sure where that belief comes from? Perhaps it’s a history thing, perhaps a generational thing? Who knows. But I know it rings true for so many guys I know.
Both men and women associate meat-eating with strength and masculinity, characteristics that men in particular are eager to cultivate. Civil Eats cites a study in which “men who eat a beef-heavy diet are perceived as 20 percent more masculine and 30 percent less feminine than vegetarians.” This makes men less inclined to give up meat, because they think they’ll have to work harder to affirm their masculinity in other ways.
Do you agree with that? Have any other ideas as to why men consume far more protein than women? Do you yourself eat a lot of meat or do you feel a meal is complete without meat as a protein?
Let me know!
~Mavis
Heather says
We raise cattle, so we eat beef. We have a freezer full. I supplement with some Zaycon, but it’s mostly beef. We eat lots of eggs, too. I cook most meals at home, but I don’t have adventurous eaters. So, we eat lots of plain veggies, plain hamburgers or roast and salad. We are only together for evening meals, so I don’t know what they are eating other places, but sure it’s not meatless.
Jeanie says
I could eat meatless pretty easily. I like eating fish when someone else cooks it and I love a crisply fried chicken breast with lemony arugula Parmesan salad on top. I usually order one of those two things when we go out. That said, I could live without them. My husband is a huge meat eater. If dinner doesn’t include meat, starch, veg., he thinks I haven’t cooked. I could live on salads with a little grain thrown in, toast, yogurt and soup. As a matter of fact I usually do when he travels which is often.
Mrs. C. says
It’s that way because our ancestors were hunter gatherers for tens of thousands of years. A few hundred years, or even a couple thousand years, of growing and eating grains is not enough time to change that basic genetic heritage. There have also been studies that societies where the protein content of the diet is higher tend to be more innovative. I was a vegetarian for 20 years, but now I eat meat in moderation because I don’t like the taste of it, but adding it to my diet has improved my health.
Katy says
I think the way we look at meals is very antiquated and it is passed down from our previous generations. The idea of a square meal came about in the 1950s (I think) and that is kind of where it has stayed in our mentality. Meat/veg/starch or else it isn’t a meal.
Personally, I’m a very strict vegetarian, nothing with eyeballs 🙂 My husband eats everything. So while I prepare meals, he has to cook his own meat if he wants it. That has caused him to eat much less meat as a consequence of being lazy lol.
Meat = Macho??? I can’t get on board with that. Such old thinking. While I think that perception is still very valid, I don’t like it. It is just another way to place labels on people.
People constantly try to prank me by getting me to eat meat – why is that funny at all???!!
debbie in alaska says
I hear great things about “Stranger Things” on netflix.
Marcia says
Well, men do need more calories, on average.
But one worry for too much meat is too much iron. Pre-menopausal women don’t have to worry so much, but men would be wise to donate blood regularly.
Lisa says
I have done vegetarian for a period of time and it was fine, but I love protein too much to want to give it up forever. Mostly lean protein, chicken, fish and turkey. I have 3 boys and a hubby who LOVE meat! I work with mostly men and they all LOVE meat too, the more meat the merrier the men!
Kari says
I, too, could go meatless, but my family would revolt. Speaking of meatless, I tried the most amazing soup last night! So good, in fact, we had it again tonight! I thought you might like it: http://drhyman.com/blog/2016/06/07/quick-cauliflower-coconut-stew/ I had almost everything in my garden, too.
Leslie says
Seems completely plausible that someone may eat certain foods to seem more masculine or feminine. Which might be a sad comment on society.
Jfred says
Our family loves meat. We eat plenty of veggies, too! Once a yr we go on a Daniel Fast (based on the Bible….Daniel eating only fruits/veg for 21 days). During that time, *I* miss dairy products the most…wait….coffee first, then dairy. But dh misses meat the most. I was surprised that I didn’t miss meat as much as I thought I would. The fast has taught us to eat more veggies, so that is great! I do make more meatless meals, and/or use less meat (subbing lentils/beans) now.
Now, that said, dh eats more per meal than I do. He’s abundantly more active, (he runs 7+ miles a day….and trains for ultra-marathons) so his body NEEDS more food….and esp protein. Dh doesn’t eat many starches at all, so his body doesn’t stay as full, either, lol. So his serving sizes are bigger, and he eats more throughout the day to fuel his body. And yes, he eats more meat than I do because of this.
Angela D. says
My husband, too, thinks a “square meal” consists of: meat, vegetable and a starch (potato, rice, or noodle.) That was how he was raised, in the 70’s. It’s also the way I was raised, but I don’t have the same ideals. Just over a year ago, my husband had a heart stent placed–his own father has 6 stents. Genetic link? Probably, as my husband and I have been eating the same diet for the last 27 years and I don’t currently have any heart issues, knock-on-wood. That being said, we have been educating ourselves on different types of proteins that are heart healthy. I think there are so many components to eating, with my husband struggling to accept a meatless meal, or protein from legumes–I struggle with portion control and the sensory experience (taste, smell, texture.) Eating just to fuel our bodies? Nope. Not in our household. I wish!
Jenny Young says
I think men eat more meat because it tastes so good & they worry less about their health than women. I love meat, I especially love beef. I would eat more if it wouldn’t kill me. 😉
Bargnhtress says
I eat a lot more meat than my husband.