There is no denying that we love a good meat fest and for good reason, but can we be getting too much of a good thing? This article explores ways to balance out our consumption to create a more sustainable approach to eating meat by focusing on quality rather than quantity.

The issue everyone is talking about

Between 1961 and 2013 meat consumption in the UK doubled and although it has slowed down a little in recent years, it has not slowed enough to effect change in our environment. Meat consumption trends are mirrored globally and many believe that it is unsustainable and contributes to climate change. There are arguments for reducing meat consumption for health reasons too.

Climate change is complex as is our health and nutritional needs. In this article, we will explore these potential impacts and reflect on whether it is better to eat higher quality, organic meat, but less often, rather than frequently eating mass-farmed meat, as a potential solution to sustainability and our health concerns.

Why has meat consumption increased?

Meat consumption has increased for several reasons. Firstly, the average household income increased considerably, which has resulted in lifestyle changes for those that enjoy such privileges. This includes the role that historic perceptions surrounding meat consumption as an indicator of wealth and status have had on diet.

Availability is another major cause of increased meat consumption. Modern farming practices have increased the availability of livestock for slaughter, which has fuelled the growth of meat supply and consumption to an industrial scale

If you couple this with the advancement of supply chains and warehouse-styled distribution that make up our supermarkets, it is clear to see that it has become increasingly convenient and easy to access meat for food. Online shopping and home delivery services have exacerbated this further.

Meat consumption is not inherently bad; in fact, it provides us with an abundance of nutrition and flavour, which is precisely what has led to the explosion of this market. We just need to look at the wider impact of our consumption and find better ways to make it sustainable.

Environmental Impact Of Meat Farming

As meat consumption escalates, the environmental consequences become increasingly evident. Large-scale livestock farming contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water usage, and pollution. The intensive methods used in industrial farming can lead to soil degradation and loss of biodiversity. The environmental toll of meat production has prompted calls for more sustainable practices and has spurred discussions about the ecological footprint of various types of meat.

_______________________________________________________________________________________ Must read: The rise of the organic meat movement ______________________________________________________________________________________

The Quest For Sustainable Meat Consumption

Sustainability in meat consumption requires a holistic approach that addresses health, environmental, and ethical concerns. One way to achieve this balance is by adopting strategies such as reducing meat consumption and focussing on higher quality produce rather than quantity. Shifting towards plant-based diets, and supporting sustainable farming practices is also of paramount importance.

Consuming less meat allows for the allocation of resources more efficiently, reducing the strain on the environment and mitigating the negative impact that excessive meat production has thus far created.

The Role of Organic Meat In Sustainable Farming

One solution to the issues associated with the overconsumption of meat lies in prioritizing quality over quantity. Organic meat, which adheres to higher standards of animal welfare and environmental sustainability, offers a potential pathway. Organic farming practices prioritize natural feeds, humane animal treatment, and reduced use of antibiotics and chemicals. While organic meat may be costlier, consuming it less frequently can align with recommended protein intake and contribute to healthier dietary habits.

Having a balanced diet that includes a mixture of plant-based and meat-based protein, may help us prioritise and reorganise our arable land assets to restore harmony in our ecosystems.

Halal Origins is a big believer and is highly invested in ensuring that less is more by contributing to lower quantity, but higher quality produce that is better for our health and indeed the wider environment. After all, we rely on the environment and its complex ecosystem to sustain us, so if we do not sustain it, we are setting ourselves up for a miserable failure further in time.

Finding the balance

It is easy to say eat less, but without a discernable model, how do we know how much is too much?

According to the World Health Organisation, our intake of protein from animal sources should constitute no more than 10% of our total calorific intake. Ideally, 75-80% of your food protein intake should come from plants. This leaves 20-25% of your protein to be sourced from delicious meat.

This doesn’t have to be a strict rule, but ought to be considered a healthy guideline to follow.

Choosing quality over quantity with organic meat

Most households prioritise a diet high in quantity of meat and in doing so they opt for lower quality produce that relies on mass-farming practices, which have a detrimental impact on the environment and indeed the health of those that consume such meat.

Instead, a better solution might be to focus on reducing the quantity of meat while increasing the quality of the produce that you consume. By selecting higher-quality organic meat options, you are introducing fewer chemicals and antibiotics into your body.

The nutrient base of organic meat that has been naturally reared for an extended period of time is healthier for your body. Organic farming also contributes positively to the natural ecosystem by ensuring that the animals graze and fertilise the soil, which is paramount to stock rotation in farming. Compared to mass farming, which depletes the soil of its natural goodness, you can see how being part of the organic movement has far wider implications.

Final Thoughts

Balanced health is an important matter, not only for you but for our planet at large. Now is the time to make conscious decisions that reflect our inner desire to live long and healthy lives. We cannot do this if we are causing harm to our bodies or to the wider environment that we rely upon to sustain us.

Sometimes less really is more. We say, eat more fruit and vegetables, and when you eat meat, opt only for organic sources that support your values with respect to health and the environment.

Halal Origins prides itself on working with farms that adhere to the highest standards in environmental and animal welfare, so we can be sure that we are only positively contributing to the environment. Our meat produce is of the highest quality and we cut out the carbon footprint provided by the supermarkets by delivering directly to your door.

Order today before 3 pm and we will have your favourite cuts of meat delivered in time for dinner tomorrow.