What I Learned From A Meat Advertisement
A few days ago, on my commute to work, I was stuck in traffic behind a Price Chopper truck for at least ten minutes. The sign on the back of the truck extolled Price Chopper’s fresh meat. (See photo at bottom)
It contained a roasted turkey, a beef roast, pork chops, a rack of ribs, and chicken breasts. Although there were many things I would rather think about then the flesh of dead animals, this sign effectively commandeered my brain until the traffic cleared up.
Summary of the Thoughts that Popped into my Head
I reminded myself about the main reason I eat a whole food plant based (WFPB) diet that is 100% plant based. It’s for my health. I’ve always said that any benefit to the environment and animals is a bonus.
If nutritional science begins to show that a WFPB diet with the occasional small amount of meat appears healthier than a 100% plant based WFPB diet, I will add some meat back to my diet.
As I looked at the different meats on the sign, I realized that none of them were appealing. In fact, I found them disgusting. I’m not sure I’d be able to eat any of them. It dawned on me that if nutritional science compelled me to add meat back to my diet, I’d have to get a bit creative. I suppose much like parents must get creative when adding vegetables to their fussy kid’s diet.
This sign made me confront a reality; I now have a personal bias against eating meat. This means that I must be extra vigilant in the future to make sure that I don’t let this bias affect my interpretation of the scientific studies. It turns out that being stuck behind the truck was a stroke of luck.
The poetry in the last sentence was not planned, but the experience felt a bit poetic. In my younger days, I worked at a meat market for seven years and I handled meat items far more disgusting than those on the sign. Yet there I was struggling to look at pictures of prepared meat. I never thought that would happen.http://www.wholefoodplantbasedrd.com/plant-based-italiano-tradition-can-survive-a-hole-food-plant-based-diet/
I wonder how commonplace this is.
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I really like the approach of your website Dominic. I’ve studied nutrition for over a decade and it just so happens that the 4 doctors you mention as your inspiration are the same as mine. I list Fuhrman first. I believe the science most favors his approach. Esselstyn is a favorite as well. I would include Dr. Michael Greger for his great website NutritionFacts.org and his book “How Not to Die”. McDougall I agree mostly with but not on all accounts. There are so may copycats out there now.