Eat less meat

Want to help the environment? Eat less meat.


Just published in the British medical journal The Lancet is a report that gives another reason to eat less meat, especially red meat. We probably know that this change could benefit our health. Now this report gives us another good reason —to help our struggling planet survive climate change.

The Lancet report—written by 37 experts from 16 countries — recommends radical shifts in diet that are probably not practical right now in countries such as Brazil and the United States. However, if we are aware, and take steps, even small steps, to eat more plant-based foods and less meat, we will be helping ourselves and our grandchildren survive in our increasingly overheated planet.

How meat taxes the environment

The different environmental impact, between raising plants and raising cattle, is startling. Cattle and lamb, in particular, require huge amounts of pesticides, fertilizer, fuel, animal feed, and water compared with plant farming. Unimaginable amounts of greenhouse gases, manure, and toxic chemicals are released, poisoning our air and water.

Water is becoming scarce, and beef production uses 48 times as much water to produce a kilogram of beef compared with a kilogram of vegetables. For greenhouse gases, meat production releases up to 40 times more of these harmful gases into our air compared with vegetable and grain production.

Meat taxes our health

People who eat more plant-based foods have a lower risk of various diseases compared with people who eat a lot of red meat. Red meat has a high concentration of saturated fat, which increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, chronic liver disease, stroke, and various cancers. White meats, such as poultry and fish, are much healthier. Plant proteins are even better.

As a start, small steps to consider

  • Plan one day per week as a “meatless” day. Replace the protein you would get from meat with plant-based sources.


  • Add plant-based foods into traditional dishes. For example, add sautéed mushrooms into hamburger patties. Or, when you are at a restaurant, choose the veggie-burger if offered.


  • For two meals a day, eat plant-based foods, and add meat, chicken, or fish to only one of your meals.

By being aware of the environmental and health issues involved with meat and meat production, you can make a significant contribution to preserving our planet for you, and the generations that follow. You will also very likely be thinner and healthier!

To find a doctor, of any specialty, anywhere in Brazil, check out our website:

See also in ProcuraMed:

The threat of cancer from processed and red meat

Learn about proteins other than meat proteins

Esta postagem também está disponível em: Portuguese (Brazil)

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