Humans: carnivores?

Question

Recently I got into a violent argument about whether or not humans are carnivores. I say they're not, because carnivores eat raw meat. If we tried to eat bloody meat we would get sick! Our stomachs cant digest the raw meat that other animals eat. It would just rot. Plus carnivores have sharp teeth to tear apart their prey, which we do not. Grr!

Whats your stand?

I'm saying we're omnivores, not herbivores. Thanks.

Answer 1

Humans are actually omnivores--or so our diet has (d)evolved. But really, humans can live quite healthily without eating animal flesh. As for the raw vs. cooked argument, when was the last time you saw a lion with a frying pan to cook up his dinner?

Our digestive systems, however, are far more similar to herbiviorous creatures than carnivorous creatures, with the weak stomach acid (carnivores have strong stomach acid), the long digestive tract (carnivores have short digestive tracts to remove the rotting flesh from their bodies quickly), etc. Humans don't have the sharp claws and fangs to rip into flesh. Try using your canine teeth to tear open a living animal, and you'll see how hard it is.

And as for the contamination of spinach, green onions, et al., with E. coli, might I remind you that E. coli is produced in the digestive system, which plants don't have. The contamination was due to runoff from factory farms and/or slaughterhouses.

Answer 2

We aren't carnivores we are omnivores and you don't always get sick from eating raw meat it depends on the kind and if you are used to it or if it isn't rotting and festering. We have canines and we have flat teeth as well and our nail size varies from how we take care of them it is a choice on what we eat but no matter what you are still an omnivore. But most likely in the beginning with cave men hunting they most likely had a little bit sharper and longer teeth but they used weapons as well and they would always travel for food barely ever making a home for themselves unless there was a good source of food whether it was plant or animal.

Answer 3

Humans are naturally omnivores. Our prehistoric ancesters most likely ate large amounts of plant material and small animals such as grubs. That's what most large apes do today.

They weren't really meant to eat the meat of large animals because they can't digest it. That's why humans are the only animals that cook their food. We don't have claws or fangs; so we eat with forks and knives. At some point in our history people decided it was a good idea to eat meat; maybe there were food shortages and it was an adapted survival technique.

Ever see a nature show where lions kill a gazelle and eat it? Did they cook it first? Did one of the lions go and get the silverware? End of story.

Answer 4

Well, your logic does not hold water on many levels.

1. I looked up carnivore on a few dictionaries. At no point did it mention if the meat was cooked or not. It just says consumed.
2. People eat raw meat all the time. The middle of a rare steak is raw, sushi is raw, tar tar is raw. I am sure there are more examples.
3. Most people have canine teeth. Canines are most definitely not for eating carrots. I know this because I have canines and I love carrots. I use my molars to bite them.

All of that being said, you are right. Humans are not carnivores. Like bears, we are omnivores.

Answer 5

ever heard of sushi? or a famous french dish called Beef Tartare? both use raw fish or beef. raw meat is only unhealthy when its handled badly, ie exposed to hazordous conditions. prepared properly theyre are perfectly healthy (and safe) to eat. many people ive seen use the argument "we cant hunt prey with our bare hands therefor we should not eat meat" but this is ridiculous. i dont often go into my kitchen and find my dog eating at the kitchen table with a fork and a knife, or have to wait in line for the shower cause my cat is in there. why? because they are not human, we do things differently. our brains differentiate significantly. while we didnt evolve claws to tear animals apart, or the speed and agility to chase them down, we were given the brain capacity to find other means of doing so, whether it be a spear a rock or anything else. and maybe animals dont cook their food but it doesnt mean they wont eat it. you can bet when my family is grillin up burgers and i turn my back for a second my dog will wolf those burgers down in a blink of an eye. cooking meat (or vegetables alike) is just a way to make the food more appealing and appetizing. do you often chow down on raw potatoes? or take out a bag of rice and eat it as is without cooking? i think not. i dont believe that we were meant to eat strictly herbavore or carnivore diets. why would man have the instinct to eat meat at all if we werent meant to eat it? you can tell me some of that "oh youre brainwashed, you only eat meat cause your parents forced you to" rhetoric cause i dont believe it. scenes painted on walls from the early caveman days depicted them hunting, and i dont think they had the media brainwashing them then. the fact of the matter is, whether or not we were meant to really isnt an issue. people do, and it isnt going to change. if you want people to be tolerant of your beliefs, then mind your own business and let them lie thier lives as they want to, whether or not it is right or wrong.

Answer 6

Alot of people eat raw meat and if prepared properly you won't get sick. Humans are omnivores. Carnivore does not necessarily mean that the meat has to be raw. Humans do have sharp teeth they are called incisors. They are strong and sharp enough to tear through raw meat.

Answer 7

Humans are omnivores. We eat both plants and animals for sustenance. We have incisors for tearing into meat, but large molars for mastication, so we're able to eat both. Also, being carnivorous doesn't mean you eat raw meat, it means you eat exclusively meat. How it's prepared is irrelevant to the definition of the word "carnivore". Also, usually there are health issues associated with an all meat diet, regardless of preparation. Your body needs vitamins and minerals that meat alone cannot provide. Of course, eating raw meat can lead to illness, but it depends on the type (sushi, for example, is fine raw).

Answer 8

While your conclusion is true, your argument is factually inaccurate.

there is nothing in the definition of carnivore that states that the food must be raw and bloody. and those of us whoeat meat CAN in fact, digest raw meat. Not perfectally, but we can.
Even pure blood carnivores do not digest every shred of what they eat.
And what do you think our canines are for? looks? they are there for that specific reason. to cut and tear food, be it a particularrly(sp) tough carrot or a cut of meat.

Also, for Jen, we can also get sick eating plants, too. remember the spinich e-coli scare earlier in the year? Think before you type. ANY food can contain microbes that will make us sick. you can get botullism from a can of beets or beef-a-roni.

Also, try to digest Ricin. It comes from a plant. tell me how well that works for you.

most humans are omnivores, signified by reliance on a balanced diet. I consider myself a non-obgliate carnivore, i.e. I don't have to eat veggies, but I do.

Answer 9

Carnivores only eat meat. Humans need grains and veggies to be healthy therefore are not carnivores.

Answer 10

Interesting point - however despite the fact that I don't eat meat - I know someone who is in his mid 60's and has eaten raw fish, poultry and meat for years, along with raw vegetables. He is as fit as "Butcher's Dog" and is most certainly able to eat completely raw flesh with no problems. He carries a letter from his doctor as a disclaimer for when he eats raw food in restaurants. He often catches his own food. He will for example catch a fish, take it home and gut an fillet it. He then pops it into the freezer. When he wants a packed lunch he take it out, and pops it in a bag to defrost. He will then place it between two slices of bread and eat his fish sandwich. He just cuts into cuts of raw meat and chicken with no thought for the blood. He can walk as fast as I can run - and for occupational reasons I can run pretty fast!

Needless to say as he includes raw chips and slices of bread in his diet he is most certainly and omnivore, despite eating meat and flesh prepared a la carnivore! I prefer and follow a vegetarian diet and enjoy it no less than he enjoys his omnivorous diet.