A Quick Look at Gender Norms in Diet
- maggiesdees
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
A month or two ago, I was watching a YouTube video and saw an ad for a jerky stick company. It featured different people reaching into bags and pulling out snacks in raw forms, which later transformed into packaged, more convenient stick options. A little girl pulled out a drumstick, and an adult woman, mid yoga pose, pulled out a whole pepper. And a man at his desk in the office pulled out a whole steak and bit into it. More recently, I googled “gifts for men,” clicked the first article that popped up, and the first item on the list was a meat thermometer.
What am I getting at? There is a clear trend in messaging. Meat is masculine. Bloody cuts of
steak, ordering your burger rare— dietary choices men can make to cement their standing as “man enough,” to create a subconscious callback to Stone-Age hunters. But why? Red meat isn’t particularly good for you— it's one of the first things you’re advised to cut out if your cholesterol is high. Chicken has more protein and is generally cheaper. Red meat is an expensive, less healthy choice, but something about it draws our society in. I’ll pause here to say that it could very well be taste: I’m a life-long vegetarian and have been turning around while I write this to throw questions at my roommate: “Can you order a burger rare?” But I don’t think it’s primarily taste, and neither do sociological studies. Meat is an affirmation of gender in our society. That needs to change.
Our planet is and has been in peril, and while the dairy and beef industries are not the main offenders, they certainly contribute: estimations from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other researchers have placed the emissions of livestock at anywhere from 12% of total global greenhouse gas emissions to 19.6%. That’s almost a fifth of emissions that could easily be reduced, which is a relieving idea. But there are a few obstacles, one of which is the gender stereotypes surrounding meat consumption. The National Institute of Health produced a lengthy article on this issue, proclaiming that “as long as meat and masculinity are closely linked, effectively reducing consumption will be challenging.”
I’m not a defeatist, and find myself quite aligned with the environmentalism is for everyone, taking joy in taking action approach of One Green Thing. So how do we take on the issue of excessive, increasing meat consumption and its ties to displaying masculinity? Vegetarian Dude, a plant-based chef and blogger, has a blog post about his shift to vegetarianism. He writes that a lot of people made fun of him, assumed he was a hippie, or pressured him to have meat at holidays or get-togethers. From this and observations of general stereotypes surrounding plant-based or vegetarian men, it seems like a key factor in the shift is language. People are much less likely to make a change or try something new when the fear of judgment is involved, no matter their gender. Being vegan, vegetarian, or caring about the planet isn’t “for girls.” Women may be more vocal about their efforts, but to maximize success, the environmental community needs and will welcome everyone.
Language aside, there is the idea that going vegetarian, or shifting towards plant-based, will significantly limit your diet or cause health problems. NIH found that “[c]onnections between masculinities and the preparation of meat also consistently linked the barbeque as a manly, macho pursuit, and the 'epitome' of masculinity.” Going vegetarian does not have to mean losing muscle, meal options, or getting rid of barbecues. A BUBBA burger has twenty-five grams of protein, while a Lite Impossible burger has twenty-one grams. Add a handful of nuts or a scoop of chickpea salad to your plate, and you’ve made up the difference and added necessary fiber and/or healthy fats to your meal.
So if you’re wondering where to start your plant-based or Meatless Monday journey, here’s what to take away. Don’t strive for perfection. Every meal where you opt for a plant-based entree is an effort that counts towards your reduced carbon footprint! Don't feel as though you need to make up for meats, instead focus on adding foods from every group: vegetables, grains, protein (legumes, soy products, nuts, etc.), and fruits, and eat what satisfies you and makes you feel good. And if you’re really stuck, look up restaurants with vegan or vegetarian menus and ask the staff what they recommend. As far as judgy relatives or friends go, remind them nicely that your plate is your business, and know that you don’t owe an explanation of your dietary choices to anyone— although if you feel like explaining, don’t forget to mention our planet!
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