UK Article Shows Vegetarians How To Be A ‘Born-Again Carnivores’

And now for something completely different:

Today, especially with all the studies coming out in favor of a vegetarian diet, we generally see “How-To” articles for weaning yourself off of meat and dairy. However, in a recent article in the UK Times, a former vegetarian (for 25 years!) has profiled her shift back to a meat-eating lifestyle — and how you too can follow. BOOOO! From the article,

I am not the only staunch veggie to give up a lifetime devotion to pulses and tofu in the past year. The Food Standards Agency in Britain states that the number of people eating a partly or completely veggie diet fell from 9 per cent in 2007 to 7 per cent in 2008. However, we are, on average, eating less meat per head, as Su Taylor from the Vegetarian Society points out. “In 2006 the average person consumed 74.3kg. In 2007 that figure was 74kg – only a slight reduction, but a downward trend. People are realising that plant-based diets are better for the environment.â€�

I see my decision to return to meat as part of a bigger change in Britain’s food culture. We’ve shifted away from the old-school “meat is murderâ€� approach, and now well-sourced meat is seen as healthy and natural.

In the author’s defense, she’s advocating small amounts of meat — from sustainable, humane sources. Only problem is, most of the people reading this article will not derive meat that way. Not to mention the whole “taking a life for food” issue that still applies. Plus, parts of her story paint being vegetarian as “bland” and “low-energy”. Overall, it’s a disappointing commentary, and for the health of planet and people, not one that benefits well-being.

Read the rest here.