Do we really need to eat meat?

Question

Aren't we really herbivores?

Answer 1

We are omnivores.

But we only need to eat about 1/10 by weight of meat and [animal products]. Most Western diets use too much but it is cheap, easy to process and store, gives good profit return to the providers.

Vegetables are seriously expensive by comparison and contain harmful chemicals originating from production, harvesting, transport, storage, presentation ............

Oh! I almost forgot to mention molecule leaching from the plastic wrapping

Answer 2

Nope, we don't really need meat. There are alternatives to protein such as tofu.

Initially we started out as herbivores but as time went on, man required more energy as he became more active and more nomadic. So, a better source of energy would be meat since a little of that is required versus vegetables, where for the same amount of energy, about 3 times more of veg would be required.

Answer 3

No we don't need to eat meat, and yes, we are truly herbivores. Our bodies aren't designed to eat meat (although we are able to process it to some degree), our intestines are approximately 12 times the length of out body if stretched out, in line with plant eating animals. Carnivorous animals have intestines 3 times the length of the body, so the meat gets processed quicker, longer intestines and it rots inside. We've all heard about how much rotted undigested red meat is in the average American's stomach have we not? Also our teeth. Contrary to popular belief, our "canines" are not for tearing flesh, look at the canines of a dog or cat, do we really have the same teeth as them, oversized curved canines are for tearing slesh, not our stumpy things, best used on apples or bread! And our molars which are flat, used to pulverise vegetable matter, again compare with other animals. And so what if animal farms close down, someone saying meat eaters keep these animals alive. What rubbish, meat eaters cause them to be killed surely! And these animals have no real "life" to speak of, the atrocities that happen to living, breathing, feeling and emotional animals in the name of the meat trade are absolutely disgusting, and yes, I will tell you my views, not force them upon you, more share them with you so you can make your own choice, if you have a conscience jbjt05! We can get protein from many places, where do you think the animals you eat get it from? Note that people only tend to eat herbivorous animals like cows, sheep, chickens etc. Nobody ever seen a fat vegetarian? You don't know my housemate, obviously, or our drummer! I've been vegetarian for 16 years or so, and am in much better shape than a lot of people my age, I don't support the horrors of the meat trade, so my conscience is clear, and am much better in bed than any meat eater! Ok, the last comment may be irrelevant! And I'll have this discussion with anyone, regardless of what you think you know, go veggie!!!!

Answer 4

No i don't think we really need to eat meat because we can substitute what we get from meat with other sort of protein I also think we like the flavor of the meat as i like it better to eat them and not too much tofu fan

Answer 5

You're not a herbivore if you eat meat.

We don't have to eat meat, that's why vegetarians exist. However we do need protein for cell replacement.

If you don't eat meat, you can get protein fom eggs, nuts and legumes. Eat dark green vegetables for iron.

Answer 6

If more people made the effort to eat free range meat and eggs (and if more people did it, the price would hopefully come down) then meat would certainly be less cruel.

However, there is nothing "unnatural" about humans eating meat. From an evolutionist point of view, our early human ancestors ate it, and we still have the teeth and metabolism for it. From a religious point of view, most religions allow or even encourage it.

Humans are omnivores.

Vegetarianism is fine - as with meat-eaters, you just need to balance what you eat. Veganism seems a bit over-the-top to me, though; I had a vegan flatmate who was thin (not slim, I mean too thin) and pallid, and had a shelf full of pills to give her all the nutrients she wasn't getting from her food - how is that healthy?

Answer 7

1. we do not need 2 eat meat. wo/man has evolved physically 2 the degree that we do not have long canine teeth 4 tearing flesh, neither do we have a short intestine necessary 4 the fast and efficient use and disposal of animal flesh. we are physically not designed 4 the eating of flesh.
the physical characteristics would be reflected in the mental emotional sphere, thus encouraging us 2 evolve 2 the degree that we no longer fuel our physical needs with the flesh and blood of the creatures. we do not need 2 eat meat; in fact, it hinders our evolution. the blood of the creatures and the agonies of the slaughterhouse and rearing procedures can have no place in the arterial flow of the truly evolved, however much it may be 'sanctified'. however, there are many who seek 2 find ever more desperate excuses 4 continuing 2 eat it in the face of the growing band of healthy, evolving non meat-eaters.

2. we have free will and of course will exercise our own judgement in these matters. those truly evolving, will have the wisdom 2 use this right 2 the good of all. 2 choose 2 partake of the unspeakable cruelty 4 our own purposes is a reflection of the baser instincts that we will need 2 ultimately overcome. our free will gives us the choice 2 partake in creating a responsible and compassionate society in which the needs and care of the creatures is of account. as you later say, the universe regards the use of the animals as a yardstick 4 the success and failure of our existence here. surely they are also reading the dna of the reason 4 the slaughter and the purpose 2 which the dead flesh is put? if it is merely 2 fuel a base instinct 2 eat flesh and blood, then the karmic account is heavy.

3. it is not uncommon 2 meet in daily life, those who like 2 think of themselves as highly evolved. they are often highly charismatic and dangerous. their arrogance and behaviours reveal that they have some considerable way yet 2 go, 4 humility is the hallmark of the truly evolved. your statement gives licence 2 these people 2 continue their barbaric practice of meat eating, while remaining complacent in their self-assessment as a highly evolved being able 2 sanctify the disgraceful process.

Answer 8

No, we do not. There are plenty of foods out there which offer the same things meat does, without the cost of slaughter. Protein, iron, all of it. In fact, carnivores have short digestive systems while herbivores have long digestive systems, because of the complexity of the foods they are digesting. Humans have a long digestive system, so it is only logical that we are herbivores.

Answer 9

i have this arguement all the time..we do not need to eat meat..we have long intestines as opposed to short ones, which herbivores have.. meat takes a long time to digest and thats why we get cancers of the bowel. which incidentaly is lower in vegetarians.

Answer 10

I don't think you really need to eat meat as long as you replace it with the same nutrients.

Answer 11

Haven't we evolved into Omnivores...Meat and plant eaters?

Yes we can live without it...as there are so many products available now that we can substitute for meat.

But when man first ate meat raw...before he discovered fire...It took up so much energy to chew the meat and then for his body to break it down he was practically exhausted all the time.

Once fire was discovered and meat was cooked, it tenderised the meat easing the eating and digestion of it..so energy from meat was released more quickly.

In saying that.....I read of a site on the net and the benefits of colonic irrigation......apparently, you have at least 10 yrs of poo trapped in the folds of your bowel and the majority of it is from decaying meat that has stuck and is degrading in the bowel to a thick black tar like substance.

So maybe we should stop eating meat with so many variants available to us now.