Examine the evidence — Eric Kopp

Many students have expressed annoyance regarding the lack of meat served in McEwen every Monday — dubbed Meatless Mondays. I think that this frustration is, for a lack of a better word, stupid.

I can understand why because I used to have that same mentality. After doing research and actually going to eat at McEwen on Mondays, I realized the value of having such a day. All of us are thinking about this program in the wrong way.

Let’s get something out of the way to start with: it is sustainable to be a vegetarian. Now, one might say: “Vegetarians don’t eat enough protein.” Actually, beans and other plants are large sources of protein. According to a study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegetarians and vegans consume more protein than is needed daily. Around 97% of Americans are actually lacking another vital nutrient: fiber. Fiber is found in abundance in many vegetables and fruits.

The same criticisms directed at a lack of nutritional value in vegetarianism should also be directed at those who have very little variety in their meals except meat. It’s almost commonplace in America to eat a lot of meat and almost no other plant-based food. Introducing more vegetables and fruits into your diet can actually have great health benefits.

Vegetarians actually eat less calories and weigh less than their counterparts who eat meat. Our country’s obesity problem is getting out of hand. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC,) about 32.2 percent of men and 35.5 percent of women were considered obese in 2009–10. No doubt our country’s reliance on red meat is partly fueling this epidemic. If we were able to even slightly reduce the amount of meat in our diets, I have no doubt that obesity rates would start to fall.

Vegetarians and vegans also have a much lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Reducing red meat intake simultaneously lowers your chance of dying from diabetes, a stroke, and cancer. About 645,000 Americans die annually due to heart disease. Imagine how lower it would be if people simply started eating less meat.

Reducing our meat consumption would drastically alter the effect humanity is having on climate change and resource scarcity. About 56 percent of American water is used to grow grain for livestock. As the human population continues to expand (and human-fueled pollution with it). many believe that countries will start fighting wars over water.

While this notion might seem drastic, we only need to look at California as an example. For the past couple of years, the state has been dealing with a massive drought and rationed water. In the foreseeable future, this scenario might become common place for most Americans and those across the world.

Meat production makes up a large percentage of our greenhouse gas emissions. It’s estimated that the animal sector emits more greenhouse gas emissions than the transportation sector. Almost 37 percent of methane and a large amount of nitrous oxide emissions come from animal agriculture. These two gases actually have a large impact on the greenhouse effect.

Now, I’m not calling for everyone to become vegetarians or vegans, that would be far too drastic. But, there is room for all of us to reduce our meat consumption. Mainstream dieticians have started encouraging people to eat a predominantly vegetarian diet and only eat meat in moderation. This “flexitarian” diet has become increasingly popular in recent years and would actually allow for a balanced meal while reducing the environmental impact of eating a meat-heavy diet.

Meatless Mondays will give Hamilton a chance to try to reduce our global footprint and encourage a healthier way of eating. I hope everyone gives it a chance, because while change on a personal level might seem insignificant, if we all change our habits we can have a drastic change on this Earth we call home.

Respect preferences

The kickoff of Meatless Mondays in McEwen has been met with mixed reactions among the student body of the College. There are those who feel that the “meat ban” on Monday is a good step for veganism and vegetarianism in general, and the health of the environment and the student body as a whole. There also those who disagree, and I find myself in this camp.

First and foremost, I want to state that there’s generally no argument that cutting down on meat consumption would have some positive impacts on the environment.

However, most vegans are blindly ignorant about the actual research into what a global community of vegans would practically look like on an environmental level. The vegan diet leaves too many resources unused and mono-cropping results in soil that is stripped of nutrients and can’t be reused — both with the same crop and new species. Different crops require different types of land, and there is simply not enough agricultural land on Earth to supply the global community with enough food. Researchers from Cornell University and other institutions have independently concluded that a lacto-vegetarian diet with moderate meat consumption is, “the most efficient way to maintain sufficient nutrition across the globe in the long run.”

There are numerous health risks associated with eating excess amounts of red meat and fatty meats, though in moderation, these proteins are quite good for you. All things in moderation.

There are doubtless pros to veganism —

The Spectator

has featured multiple opinion articles over the last year and a half discussing the pros (and cons) of this diet. There is, however, one issue of such magnitude that it eclipses the rational arguments that one could produce to defend veganism in general and Meatless Mondays specifically.

The ego and entitlement of many vegans on this campus is explicit, disproportional, and elitist. There is nothing wrong with having a certain belief and holding that belief dear to you. This belief could be your religion, your political ideology, or your insistence that the Earth is flat and full of vaccines that cause autism. As long as you’re able to maintain rational discourse and not cram your opinion down other people’s throats (literally, in the case of Meatless Mondays,) I’ll respect your right to your opinion and engage with you. What I will not stand for is the egregious and condescending attitudes that vegans often take. A common quote, usually delivered with a holier-than-thou attitude, is, “I actually get all of my amino acids, protein, and vitamins without needing meat.” That’s great for you. Really, if you’re able to do that and you feel it is your responsibility, then I applaud you. Just please recognize the entitlement that comes along with your diet.

The Economist

reports that a gram of protein in a vegan diet has a proportionate-differential cost of 40 percent. That means you’re paying an exorbitant amount for the same amount of protein, and that’s not even taking into consideration the rest of the amino acids and vitamins that are essential for a healthy lifestyle.

There is a reason that vegan athletes are so rare. They are the exception that proves the rule. They have access to an obscene amount of wealth and nutritional consulting that the average American does not. I don’t have a personal trainer who makes all my meals for me and ensures that my macros are met. I sure as hell can’t afford to eat a vegan diet when I’m cooking for myself. I eat 2,400+ calories a day. If you are able to do so then that is your prerogative. However, when you blindly make wide sweeping statements like “everyone should be vegan, it’s easy!” you are ignoring the privilege that you have.

By forcing students to go without meat, the “vegan agenda” is being pushed and makes the overall image of veganism suffer. The fact that there isn’t a choice on Meatless Monday, that you must not eat meat if you choose to dine at McEwen is indicative of the inherent superiority and blatant disregard for other opinions that far too many vegans have.