What is wrong with what we eat?

I have a simple recipe for designing my day ration and advise everybody to use that: a protein and fiber rich breakfast, meat/fish/poultry for dinner and only plants/ vegetables/ fruits for supper. I never have problems with my stomach and don’t gain excess weight. Last year I had a paper-based project which was related to the importance of eating a balanced diet. I found out that indeed a diet based on plenty of fruits and vegetables, some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish and lentils, some milk and dairy foods, and not too much fat, salt or sugar, will give your organism all the nutrients it needs. But is that way of eating well for our environment, don’t I harm my surrounding in any way? Unfortunately when deciding what to eat we usually do not think about the consequences that our decisions may have on the nature; we are self-centered and think of only our preferences and delight.  That is the nature of the humankind.

In his podcast Bittman (2008) talks about what is wrong with what we eat and the interconnections among eating too much meat, obesity, global warming and other negative consequences of our behavior. I find him trustworthy because he is an author of several books in the area of food and cooking, a professional journalist, a writer of The New York Times, and the senior writer of Cook’s Illustrated (presenting the best methods of preparing food).

The point of Bittman is quite accurate and clear: We should take care of what we eat and advocate others to eat a better diet: less meat, less junk and more plants. Overconsumption of meat causes heart cancer and has a direct relation to the altered atmosphere. There are many studies on the effect of rising livestock production on the global warming. Global warming is vital and we know that the biggest share of CO₂ emitted into the atmosphere is due to energy production and transportation. Bittman notes that the third contributor of altered atmosphere is the increasing livestock production as a result of increased demand for meat and dairy products. More of the planet's capacity is devoted to growing grain for meat and dairy animals, more land and water is devoted to supporting livestock and more water and atmosphere is polluted from the excess nitrogen and greenhouse gases we create to grow crops fed to animals for meat.What he suggests is not to give up consuming meat; he even mentions that he will never stop eating it, the goal is to hinder the steady increase of meat consumption and even reduce it say from half a pound per day to half a pound per week.

Bittman also describes the development of population from the era of self production to the era of industrialization. At first people were producing locally and were consuming their own food, because no supermarkets existed and minimum food was transported. Then fresh and frozen food began to be shipped for the first time; fast food, semi prepared food was produced and home cooking was cut back. The market became more industrialized, people became more civilized, preferences were changed and demands were increased. These progressions had also their side effects on the environment and need considerable attention to be given both by all countries united for a general purpose and by individual households in their daily decisions.

The podcast is quite interesting: Bittman thoroughly explains the reasons for reducing the consumption of meat, brings interesting examples and photos that make his speech more convincing. Nevertheless this is just an informative and awareness rising speech; there is no need to pursue anything; everything is more than clear and evident.