Over-consumption of meat is dangerous for health, but also for the environment. The Terra Nova think tank recalls this in a report. It is possible to eat less, without too many constraints and it is sometimes even better.
Environmental and vegetarian associations have been insisting for several years on the need to reduce our consumption of meat. On Thursday 23 November, the Terra Nova think tank in turn warned of the dangers of this overconsumption. According to his report, the share of meat in our diet should be halved within 20 or 30 years. However, there is no need to become a vegetarian or “vegan”, reducing the number of meat meals would already be a good thing.
Too much protein is bad for the kidney
In France, dietary protein intake is largely in excess of requirements: they are estimated at 1.35 g per kilogram of body weight per day. The recommended intakes would be 0.7 to 0.9 g per kilogram of body weight per day. Above all, a high consumption would be associated with a degradation of the function of the kidneys (hyperfiltration and inflammation of the kidneys).
A reduction in the protein food intake would, in addition, improve the assimilation of sugars and preserve the bones of patients. In case of kidney disease, the protein food intake should not even exceed 0.6 g per kilogram of body weight per day.
Vegetarian dishes in the canteen
Among its 11 recommendations, Terra Nova suggests starting this diet modification from childhood. To do this, the little ones would have to get used to going without meat, in particular through the menus of school canteens. Researchers recommend imposing one vegetarian day per week in middle and high school canteens. This would also make it possible to “reallocate the sums saved to the overall move upmarket of the catering offer by favoring, among other things, quality meat or organic products for other meals”, underlines the report.
A change of habits
Today the average French plate is made up of 60% animal protein and 40% vegetable protein. The think tank suggests reversing this proportion.
First way to reduce the share of animal protein on our plate: increase the share of legumes. Chickpeas, lentils, broad beans, beans, all are rich in vegetable protein and can replace meat. You have to vary them however because they do not all continue the same animate acids.
For consumers of prepared meals, manufacturers now offer alternatives without meat. As for home cooking enthusiasts, there are many vegetarian recipes: vegetable quiches, vegetarian lasagna or even pasta with pesto and vegetables.
In short, we can eat less meat without worrying too much!
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