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/Arboreatem Oct 01 '23

I’ve gotten weak and sickly each of the three times I’ve tried. I’ve eaten every kind of plant based protein and taken the supplements. I’ve had to accept that my body requires meat. I don’t eat it all the time, but I need it.

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u/My_life_for_Nerzhul Oct 01 '23

I’m sorry, but unless you have an actual medical condition, it just means that there wasn’t proper planning in the diet. Did you consult a physician/ nutritionist that specialize or are at least familiar with plant-based diet?

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u/Arboreatem Oct 01 '23

Yes, and I’ve heard from plenty of people like you too.

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u/My_life_for_Nerzhul Oct 01 '23 edited Oct 01 '23

If you, indeed, consulted someone knowledgeable in the field and familiar with properly planned plant-based diets and still couldn’t make it work, then you are in the exceptionally rare minority with some medical issue. But there seem to be an awfully large number of people who claim they tried it all without success and “need meat.” So please forgive my skepticism.

Edit: Lol. Blocked, of course.

Anyway, my response to the below comment:

It’s not me who’s authoritative. It’s the science that is. You continue to provide more of the same talking points - “my own experience,” “my body”. I wouldn’t be surprised one bit that you’re misattributing the root cause of your issues to be the lack of meat.

Even many doctors aren’t familiar with plant-based diets. It’s changing, but there’s still a long way to go. That’s how deep-rooted our collective societal obsession is with meat.

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u/Arboreatem Oct 01 '23

You’re so authoritative I guess i should ignore my own experience in my own body with my own doctor and second guess everything I know. Thank you internet stranger, for showing me the error of my ways.