Plant Based Diets

These common buzzwords seem to imply that this way of eating is healthier for humans and the environment. Let’s take a closer look.

First of all, we need to stop blaming cows for America’s health woes or environmental destruction. Red meat and saturated fats do not cause disease. Let’s look at the real culprit: nutrient poor, hyperpalatable, ultra-processed foods, or food-like substances. The ingredients for these junk foods are from plants. Various combinations of flours from wheat and corn, along with sugars, seed oils, and trans fats can be scientifically combined and manipulated into ultra-palatable substances that for many people are addictive.

The form of agriculture that supports both groups is called monoculture. Monoculture means there is only one plant in the field. Every living thing that was on that field before has been killed. Through annual tillage, which releases soil carbon into the atmosphere, and chemical applications to keep it sterile, monocropping is the most destructive form of agriculture. There is no biodiversity and these bare soils between cropping are prone to wind and water erosion. The tillage and chemicals destroy soil microbes and soil structure. This is not sustainable farming.

Grazing cattle generate less than 4% of greenhouse gases. All of plant agriculture produces about 5%. How about water use? “Green water” is rainfall. “Blue water” is from lakes, rivers, wells, and aquifers. Blue water sources are very difficult to replenish. In response to the letter to the Camera, Laura Bruess’ anti-meat recommendation to save water, typical beef uses 94% green water, 4% blue water and 3% grey water. Grass finished beef uses 97% green water, 3% blue water. Beef requires only 280 gallons of blue water per pound, which is less than the amount required for a pound of avocados, sugar, rice (440 gallons), almonds 1 gallon per nut, or walnuts 5 gallons per nut. Pistachio nuts are water hogs as well.

Those who are concerned about animal deaths should know that for every 100 kg of usable plant protein harvested, 55 animal deaths occur. That’s 25 times more killings to produce the same amount as rangeland beef. Appropriate cattle grazing enriches and restores topsoil. Even typical beef cows spend most of their lives grazing. Adding 1% organic matter to an acre of topsoil stores 20,000 gallons of water per acre.

Sixty percent of America’s food budget is on processed foods. This is a plant-based diet. (Good news - Oreos are vegan!). Our children and teens consume two-thirds of their calories from processed foods. Even if your plant-based diet doesn’t include processed foods, plants are low in nutrients and contain many anti-nutrients.

There are essential nutrients for humans not available from plants. There is no vitamin D, no vitamin A (beta carotene is not vitamin A). There is no vitamin K2. These three fat-soluble vitamins have many uses in the body—but in these pandemic times they are especially important for our immune systems. There is no vitamin B12, no DHA—the omega-3 that comprises 30% of our brain fats. No EPA, another animal-source omega-3, very important to control inflammation. Also missing from plants: collagen, which is one-third of our body’s protein. There is no creatine, no taurine, no carnosine, no carnitine or hydroxyproline. These amino acids and amino acid-like compounds are essential for human health. These are all found in red meat.

Protein is perhaps the most essential macronutrient that all children, teens, active people, and women of child-bearing age—for pregnancy, lactation, and recovery—and seniors, who need more protein because it is not absorbed as well.

Four ounces of sirloin steak provides 30 grams of complete, highly bioavailable protein, with 180 calories and zero carbs. To get 30 grams of protein from plants requires 12 ounces of lentils and a cup of rice. This is about 640 calories and 122 grams of carbs. To get 30 grams of protein from peanut butter it has a price tag of 700 calories.

Plant proteins have only 30-50% of the bioavailable proteins available from steak or eggs. You need to consume twice the plant protein to get anywhere near the amount of protein in animal foods.

Plant-based diets lead to plant-based disorders and diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Diabetes doubles your risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s dementia. Plant-based diets lack key nutrients. Plant agriculture is extractive and destructive. Cattle grazing is restorative and builds topsoil.

Daniel Butterfield
8940 Morton Road
Niwot, CO 80503
303-652-6511