Indians are eating too much meat and it's bad for us
Too much meat is bad for us and surveys have clearly shown that we are eating way too much. [Photo: Reuters]
Research is heavily tilted towards a plant-based diet. Study after study is proving that a diet focused more on plants helps keep diseases away far more than one that is primarily meat-based.
This has led to a widespread rekindling of interest in vegetarianism. In some countries, in fact, governments have taken matters in their own hands to try and convert people towards the vegetarian way of life.
Belgium, for example, in September issued new food guidelines that put tofu, legumes, oils, vegetables, and grains at the top of the pyramid, as foods to prioritise in one's diet.
These new guidelines have put bacon and salami in an outside circle that includes cakes, cookies, French fries, alcohol, and soda - to be eaten as little as possible.
Chicken, eggs, dairy, and fish are down the pyramid too, with red meat and butter all the way at the bottom. These guidelines are reflecting the 2015 World Health Organization's directive, which had classified red and processed meat as carcinogens.
But Belgium isn't the first country to do so. The Netherlands too had released dietary guidelines last year, recommending that people eat just two servings of meat a week. Their unique advice is to consume not more than 500 grams of meat a week.
Last year, the Chinese Ministry of Health, the government body responsible for health care services and guidelines for health-related laws and regulations in China, also began urging its citizens to limit meat and egg intake to only 200 grams daily (from 300 gm average). They are also advising people to eat more fish and chicken and less red meat.
These guidelines are directed towards reducing the country's consumption of meat by 50 per cent in an attempt to reverse the trend of skyrocketing obesity and other diet-related diseases.
While I do believe that the state doesn't have a right to ban foods or issue strict directives about what to (or not to) eat, an exercise based on science, suggesting what is right for people and pointing out where we could be going wrong, with a clear aim of ensuring health for citizens, is not a bad idea at all.
I feel the stakes are too high. Proactive steps taken by authorities can actually go a long way to help keep our present and next generations healthy, and help cut the burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
How can we deny the fact that obesity is an epidemic in our country now, especially in metros and tier-two cities? And our children are the worst-affected. Also, how long can we ignore the rising statistics and burden of NCDs?
Of course, it has to be done right.
Suggestions, not directives and bans: Widespread education on healthy eating, awareness drives where right information about the right foods is spread, especially among children, as I feel they are the most receptive.
Winning the minds of people: Making policies that help those who decide to follow these suggestions (for example, easy availability of pure, fresh plant-based foods, laws for proper labelling of packaged meat-based foods, education about sustainability, carbon footprint and other food-related environmental issues etc.).
The fact is that too much meat is bad for us, and surveys have shown that we are eating way too much, maybe.
So, it is time to take a leaf out of other countries already on the right path, and get proactive ourselves.