The idea of meat moderation is generally lost under the more vehement meat versus vegetarian/vegan argument. However much of the data on this issue compares vegetarian versus meat eaters from the community, both eating and otherwise behaving as they usually do. Like Freer, I suspect that this comparison may over-emphasis the risks of eating any meat because the norm is to eat rather too much of it.There is very little evidence about the health impacts of consuming specific amounts or types of meat.
An all-or-none message may also be off-putting to many people who would find the idea of totally surrendering their favorite meals either undesirable or unrealistic. Freer concludes: "So, should you eat meat? Yes, if you want to. But make it the best you can afford and have it every so often rather than every day. In other words: be mindful of meat."
When meat eating becomes more of a conscious decision, and somewhat less common, this does free up some time and resources. Consider, for example going from eating meat two times a day to once every two days. If you make up the difference with grains and vegetable this will save money that can be used to buy meat that is both higher quality and from sources that have benefits for animals welfare and/or the environment.
Also doing a little research into where the meat is coming from seems more achievable if you are doing it one or two times a week rather than one or two times a day. Thus potentially leading not only to meat that is better for your health and conscience, but potentially more gourmet and artisan products that give you a wonderful flavor experience.
Meat moderation does not need to be about self-denial, but about maximizing the real pleasure you gain from the meat you consume rather than doing to as part of a mindless, and largely joyless, eating routine.
