Comments on: It’s Not the Burger, It’s the Bun: A Defense of Meat

By: Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:09:58 +0000

Kimberly, I didn’t know Taubes was in town this weekend. I will be giving a composting class. Darn. But for others interested, this is a breakfast talk May 16, 9:30, at Harry’s Tap Room, in Arlington, VA, 2800 Clarendon Blvd. Sponsored by Weston Price Foundation. You do need to pay for breakfast.

703.778.7788

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:19:39 +0000

Hi Ed–I agree with you and Gary, refined carbs are at the heart of our weight issues in America. My husband and I lost 50 lbs between us and have kept them off for 5+ years, by watching our carb intake.

PS–Did you know that Gary Taubes is speaking in Arlington this weekend, May 16?

Kimberly

By: FoodRenegade

FoodRenegade — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:58:07 +0000

Ed –

What a thorough post! I also was converted reading Taubes’ book. I’ll definitely be sharing this with my friends on Twitter & Stumble Upon.

As to whether or not we can feed everyone in the world on this diet — even if we all farmed like Salatin — I think the answer is no.

But that doesn’t bother me. I’m responsible for feeding my family with food grown as healthily, locally, and sustainably as possible. The end. If my local area can sustain me eating this way (and it can), then I’m going to eat this way because it’s the best choice for myself and those I love.

If other parts of the world can’t sustain their populations this way, then maybe they shouldn’t. Eventually, they’ll stop reproducing, or they’ll start dying young (which is what’s happening! Google “demographic winter” for more info). And given more time, they’ll reach an equilibrium for their own local food/population balance as well.

Thanks again for this post, and for submitting it to Fight Back Fridays today!

Cheers,
KristenM
(AKA FoodRenegade)

By: espringf

espringf — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:47:02 +0000

I’ve read Salatin, and greatly admire what he’s doing. I think I need more data, though. Can we really ranch enough land without destroying our remaining ecosystems to eat this much meat? Or do we aim for ethically-farmed tilapia and beans until we can get the population down to a more sustainable level?

By: Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:07:48 +0000

Emily, I know it worries you. It worries me, too, because we do seem to be caught in a bit of a cunundrum. But we can find a way. If we can bring agriculture back to the local community, where it belongs, then we can do this, too. Read Joel Salatin.

By: espringf

espringf — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:46:21 +0000

You know what worries me? From an environmental standpoint, we can’t afford this much protein, especially in meat form. I know I feel better and am healthier when I eat fewer carbs and more fat and protein, but the only way we can feed 6 (let alone 9) billion people is on a high-carb vegetarian diet.

By: Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:22:54 +0000

Brett, thanks for spreading the word. I’m glad to know there are others who have heard of Gary Taubes out there.

Valerie, whole grain is definitely better. But the fiber, while providing nutrients, only mitigates a little. Carbs are still carbs, whether from whole grains or fruits. They all get converted into sugar, which requires an insulin response. Humans were not designed to eat the diet you are describing, and in fact the fossil record shows that mankinds health declined significantly with the advent of agriculture approximately 10,000 years ago–a mere blink of an eye in evolutionary terms. Plants are loaded with defense mechanisms that make digestion much more difficult than protein. This is more of an issue for some people than others, just as the inuslin disturbance is. Some people have a very difficult time dealing with certain plant foods–the reaction to beans, favism, gluten intolerance spring to mind. There are many others. It is also established that proteins provide a much greater sense of satiation than carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, among the many other issues listed, just make people hundrier. But what is truly alarming are the health issues that arise around insulin. They are rarely discussed as a public health matter and deserve much wider attention.

By: valerierose

valerierose — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:59:30 +0000

In general, I agree with you that the medical community doesn’t know as much about the effects of dietary fat and cholesterol as they claim. But I don’t think exchanging the demonizing of fat for the demonizing of carbs accomplishes much. To be sure, the typical American diet these day is way to heavy in refined carbs and I agree that this is the cause of many of the health problems that are on the rise. But it’s not the carbs and sugars themselves, but the fact that they are refined away from the *fiber* that they came originally packaged with by nature. When you eat a wholesome food such as a piece of fruit, in its natural state, it may contain a lot of sugar but it also contains fiber which regulates the absorption of that sugar so that you don’t get the spike in insulin you would get from drinking a can of soda. Carbs are good in that they are a pure and easily digestible form of energy. Lack of fiber is the real demon if you ask me.

By: brett.hite

brett.hite — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:25:19 +0000

I began reading this post last night and was thinking to myself you must’ve read Taubes. This morning as I finished it, my suspicions were correct! I’m definitely forwarding this post to anyone and everyone I can think of. Taubes was a little difficult for me to read – a little text-bookishy – but you’ve done an excellent job summarizing his key points. I’d vote to make this required reading for more than just food writers!