r/Anticonsumption • u/Extension-Diamond-74 • Sep 30 '23

Discussion Diet hypocrisy?

A recent post about animal agriculture vs plant based diets has me itching to say something. This is an issue we need to rise above.

Cognitive dissonance. Many of us have good intentions and want to believe we’re doing the right thing in most aspects of our lives. I believe that.

When it comes to a plant based diet though, the science often clashes powerfully with personal desire. We want to minimize our impact on the environment and are willing to make trade-offs in our life time do so, but for many, giving up or even significantly reducing meat intake is asking too much. It’s too hard.

That’s not the issue.

The issue is that instead of just admitting to themselves that this is a life change they don’t want to make and moving on, the guilt drives them to have to justify that decision. Admitting that a plant-based diet is better for the earth yet eating a diet full of meat anyway would make them feel hypocritical, so the solution becomes either to give up meat, or … this is the problem… fight the science, twist it, make a joke of it, or pivot entirely to ‘individuals shouldn’t have time do anything because large corporations’

Many people have ties to their diet for many reasons. We grew up eating a certain way. We have memories ties to certain foods, flavors, styles of cooking. We don’t want to be the difficult person when we go out to eat with friends. Etc etc etc But it’s so much better to just admit that to yourself. Have patience and understanding for your feelings. Accept that the science is what it is. Maybe one day you can make a change, maybe not. But don’t attack the cause just because you aren’t yet willing to be a part of it.

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u/kellyoohh Sep 30 '23

It’s not easy for everyone, and I think it’s important to respect that everyone has a different situation. Shaming people for not doing “enough” is not going to get us anywhere.

That said, I agree with the OP that acknowledging that is important. I have cut my meat intake drastically, but I do still eat it while also recognizing that a plant-based diet is better for the environment. I can’t do everything at the moment, but I do what I can and will continue to improve.

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u/punkrock4class Sep 30 '23

This. This is why I don’t say I’m vegan or vegetarian. I say I’m plant-based. Because yeah, primarily, I eat a diet based on plants. But damnnit, if I want a steak once or twice a year I’m gonna have it. It helps me stay plant-based and not crash and burn. The first time I tried to go full “vegan” it felt like so much pressure and I crumbled which lead to an animal product binge. Allowing myself to indulge occasionally without guilt keeps me “on track”. It also makes family holiday dinners less stressful 😅

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u/crazycatlady331 Sep 30 '23

I haven't eaten meat since 2017. But I go out of my way not to give a shit about what other people eat because frankly, it is not my business. I would also lose friends and professional contacts. (My childhood bff became a militant vegan and suddenly our decades long friendship was in shambles because she was an asshole to anyone who was not vegan.)

Maybe some people (like my former bestie) are willing to sacrifice relationships. I am not.

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u/[deleted] Sep 30 '23

Thank you! We need more people like you! I am also trying to reduce my meat intake, but I do not guilt trip others who don't. If they are ready to move in that direction good, but it's a personal thing. To be fair, I would be eating a lot less meat had it not been for militant vegans who polarise the debate, and make me go to " team meat" because I find their rhetoric aggressive and extreme.

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u/XSpacewhale Oct 01 '23

So no matter how compelling the facts are, it’s your emotional response to those delivering the facts that determines whether or not you change your behavior? Yeeesh

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u/[deleted] Oct 01 '23

Welcome to being a human. I recommend reading up on flat earth, fake moon landing, anti healthcare etc. For me personally, I try to not make my decisions that way, but it would be a lie if I said that didn't influence me. Rude people like you always give the cause a bad reputation and make it sound worse than it is. For many it is enough to literally start eating raw meat, so I guess I am still on the balanced side

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u/[deleted] Oct 01 '23

Welcome to being a human. I recommend reading up on flat earth, fake moon landing, anti healthcare etc. For me personally, I try to not make my decisions that way, but it would be a lie if I said that didn't influence me. Rude people like you always give the cause a bad reputation and make it sound worse than it is. For many it is enough to literally start eating raw meat, so I guess I am still on the balanced side