Wow, I can't believe a thread I started turned so violent so quickly

I like Chicken & corn soup.

so, does that use chicken broth, or vegetable broth?

The one tough part is that meat tastes so damn good...especially greasy, thick juicy burgers...mmmmm

Why is it that people defend eating meat so aggressively?

I guess it's kinda like someone who's a closet gay, that hates gays simply because they are insecure about their own sexuality.

1. U.S. meat industry is a mess. Other countries won't eat our beef. I want to limit the impact of corporate agendas on my health.

2. Meat is high in fats and increases risks for cancer, heart attacks, etc.

3. I have noticeably higher energy levels throughout the day when I eat mostly veggies, whole grains, and fruits, and seem to get sick less frequently. Closely related to eating fast food, which for some reason is primarily meat (wtf? can't they make fast food veggies?)

4. It is less efficient, and more expensive, to eat meat; energy levels in the food chain decrease efficiency the higher you go (why feed grain to the cow when I can eat the grain myself?)

5. It's really f--- up the way animals are treated during the production process.

This is not to say I won't ever eat meat again; in fact I had a turkey sandwhich the other day (I couldn't help it!).

(i.e. I could be almost guaranteed that the meat I am eating is from free range, healthy animals that are disease-free and fed quality feed, etc) then I'd probably eat meat on occasion, but only on occasion.

The nutrient profile that gives 365 kcal/gram also contains 10% water.

Back to the argument that's taking place. Why is it that people defend eating meat so aggressively?

Jay, where is it that you've posted stats on veggie vs. meat eater?

Then it is agreed? Chicken has more calories per dry weight than corn... also more protein. And beef comes in at at beefy 6.0 kcal/g (dry weight) and 0.26 grams of protein per gram... 25% protein aint bad.

In weschrist's case, I'm guessing he is a member of the LDS church (needless to say, he'll correct me if I'm wrong), which apparently has meat eating as some sort of tennet.

Due to it's fiber content, I would have expected corn to have lower nutrient density than chicken.

Keep in mind that from a health standpoint that fiber is important.

I find it funny that people think those of us who eat meat actually eat a "typical American diet" and are lazy about what we eat.

I get about 60-80 grams of protein a day from red meat, usually grass fed organic beef, because I have no other available source of protein. In addition to meat, I usually eat raw or lightly steamed vegetables, whole grains (rice, spelt, quinoa, flax, etc), fruits, nuts, coffee, and beer.

Not only is my diet healthy, I bet it is healthier than a good % of vegetarians out there.

only grass fed organic beef? c'mon.

They key word I used was "usually." In this case usually refers to 8-10 meals a week, ~1/3 lb per meal, (out of the 14 that I eat meat... no meat for breakfast). And of course I am not perfect, sometimes I eat orange cranberry scones from Trader Joe's... yet another vice.

Thanks Jay, for adding some science to this discussion.

Back to the argument that's taking place. Why is it that people defend eating meat so aggressively?

Some candidly acknowledge: "You don't need 'sources' to show that being a vegetarian conserves resources -- it just makes SENSE."