Comments on: Why We Need Meat

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:20:53 +0000

Protein anyone? We cannot eat protein and still be vegetarian? Sad…
We obviously have to eat meat!!!

By: matt

matt — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:45:25 +0000

Whilst i do believe that many forms of meat includes lots of protein, iron and other vitamins and minerals, i do not believe that it means it is right to go ahead and gorge on the flesh of what was a living thing… i mean human meat might be full of protein but do we eat it… no… and besides you can find all that is needed to live a largely successful and healthy life without meat..

So for all of you who read this article full of honest factual evidence.. just remember sometimes the easiest solution is not necessarily the most right. Einstein said it himself – "Vegetarian food leaves a deep impression on our nature. If the whole world adopts vegetarianism, it can change the destiny of humankind." Albert Einstein

By: Kara

Kara — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:49:30 +0000

Great article! What do I tell my bodybuilding Marine husband who thinks that Organic Meat is a waste of money??

By: Niklas

Niklas — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:18:38 +0000

Hi Rusty
I've found your blog very inspiring but this post discouraged me.
Well if this is true so be it, but I doubt that it will result in vegetarians (who wants to be fit and healthy) to reconsider. We've already sacrificed certain pleasures (atleast i have cause i used to love meat) cause we believe in something (it's true, not everybody is in it for the "trend") and I think that most of us value our beliefs far more than reaching 6 % in bodyfat, but that doesn't make physical appearence unimportant.
I agree that many have the misconception that being vegetarian = healthy, but why dont write an article how vegetarians can make the most of it and encourage vegetarians to eat more healthy instead?

John. (Off Topic)
"But we've been meat eaters for thousands of years. Any tribe member too weak to kill an animal would have culled from the tribe early in life." Well thank god we live in 2009 then.

If your comments reeks with arrogance so will the replys.

(Sorry for the English)

By: John

John — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:14:55 +0000

Daniel, to say "meat is not needed in our diet" is ridiculous. WATER isn't needed either since I suppose we could drink beer and wine and survive. But just because we can adopt some kooky life style doesn't mean we should. A man living outdoors who needs 3000 cal/day would have to eat over 30 apples to get it . . . and would still get insufficient nutrients. Yeah, you can pick and choose various types of plant life and seeds . . . given a good understanding of modern nutrition. But to suggest that early man did that instead of simply consuming what animals were handy . . . is preposterous.
Besides . . . I suspect that too many "vegans" are really living out what can AT BEST be described as a very "liberal" lifestyle which is more about politics than sound nutrition.

By: John

John — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:09:31 +0000

Great article. people who object to meat eating because they object to hunting or animal slaughter are really much too pampered and effete for their own good. It's not pleasant . . . and personally I object to hunting as "sport" unless you're in the water armed with a knife hunting sharks or hunting lions and tigers with a spear.
But we've been meat eaters for thousands of years. Any tribe member too weak to kill an animal would have culled from the tribe early in life.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:22:06 +0000

Good article, but i suggest you look more into vegan sources of protein, as it is easily possible to get 1-1.5g per pound of body weight in your diet daily with tempeh, lentils, chick peas, nuts etc. as long as you down rely on just one source. Then if you're vegetarian and add in milk and eggs, it makes everything a whole lot easier again!

Our whole digestive system represents that of a herbivore. Humans are omnivores, in that we can eat meat. But meat is not needed in our diet, the only nutrient lacking in a completely vegan diet is vitamin B12 which primates get from eating things like termites. In a vegetarian diet this can be satisfied by milk or eggs (I'm pretty sure eggs have B12, but I'm not sure).

and as for the unhealthy vegans… look at Mike Mahler maybe? haha. (the fact that he's one of the worlds leading kettlebell instructors has nothing to do with it )

By: sujal

sujal — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:35:59 +0000

Spanish triathlete Ovo-lacto-vegetarian Eneko Llanos.

El menor de los hermanos Llanos, campeón del mundo de triatlón de larga distancia en Ibiza 2003 y olímpico en Sydney 2000 y Atenas 2004, primer español que gana el mítico Ironman de Lanzarote Canarias considerada por los especialistas como una de las pruebas de triatlón más duras del mundo(2007), y este año (2008) ha acabado segundo en el de Hawai tras Craig Alexander. "Ya me queda menos para llegar a la cima".

Entrevista tras su segundo puesto en el Campeonato del mundo de Ironman en Hawai:

¿Es un problema ser vegetariano como tú en un deporte tan exigente?

No. Aún existe la idea de que la dieta vegetariana es incompleta, pero yo no lo creo para nada. Soy ovo-lácteo-vegetariano desde hace 13 años y no creo que mi dieta tenga ninguna carencia.

Meat is not necesary.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:06:12 +0000

I'm with Allan on this one. For ethical reasons, I have a strict vegetarian, mostly vegan diet and have done so for the past 7 years. I've never had any problems with energy level, building muscle (when I've tried), or attaining a lean physique. I'm certain I would look slightly better or have more ease in achieving fitness goals if I weren't vegetarian, but hey, in the past few years I've run a marathon and taken up BJJ / MMA training. So if that isn't optimal fitness, then sub-optimal is fine with me.

I'm a big fan of fighter Mac Danzig, who's been vegan for the past 4 years, and I doubt anyone can impugn his level of fitness.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:29:31 +0000

Hey Rusty.
Just discovered your site here, and wow, what a wealthy of information!
Mark's estimation of having a higher protein diet is right on the money, I used to be close to 300 lbs, and now I'm around 225, and it's only been recently that I've started a rigorous exercise regimen.
Until 3 weeks ago it was purely a revolution in my eating habits, and that included massive reduction in carbs (not completely, but reduced to whole grains and only in small amounts) and a massive increase in protein, be it beef, chicken, fish, turkey, etc., and an increase in ark green vegetable consumption.

A companion piece to Mark's writing here would be your piece about how important a solid diet in comparison to being highly active. (another great piece, i might add)

Thanks for the great info!

By: Olga

Olga — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:54:56 +0000

This artile was very educational, I was a vegan for like 5 years I became a "skinny fat", took up that fad diet after I had my first baby. Started at 130 lbs and only because I had attended a Adventist curch and a few people there said that being a vegan was better and healthier, yeah right! I got down to 115 lbs., yuk had no muscles. My friends were asking me if I was taking drugs or if I was sick? Prob. cause I look unhealthy.
Now that I have three children I need to eat healthy. I can't imagine not eating meat. I will never go back, ever.!I know from experience what eating protien does to my body and my health.
All this information inspires me, I love the information I read here, so many people think they know everything and don't even realize their misleading people. I like advice from people who have experience and knowledge, that's what makes me keep on reading.
Right now I am fat, cause I overate on carbs, kept loading up on sugar I just couldn't control myself, but in not time will loose everything and will be looking hot again, just like Jennifer Nicole Lee. Which also eats meat, not soy or tofu, but real meat, and is a mother of two.

By: romesaz

romesaz — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:37:31 +0000

Hey James,

Not sure if you've already seen it on this site, but, you should also probably take a look at Rusty's suggestion for strengthening your lower back/core.
It's in a post where Rusty describes his own back problems.
http://fitnessblackbook.com/…while-getting-fit/
I know this doesn't address your request, but may be a bit helpful.
I'm hoping to get my Dad to start incorporating those exercises into his day, since he's had a lot of lower back problems too, including a surgery, which actually made matters MUCH MUCH worse (Yay canadian health system!).

By: James

James — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:42:44 +0000

Rusty, I need your help. I didn't see any other way to contact you but through leaving comments. Sorry about the long post but I want to give you a little background:

I'm a recovering bodybuilder, by saying that I mean that I've seen the light about bodybuilding training and how it can do more harm than good to your body. I've been bodybuilding for the last 5 years and this summer I had some type of injury that has limited my ability to even walk. The doctor said I had a ruptured disc along with sciatica, which effects both legs causing intense pain. The only way I could have sustained this type of injury is from heavy squatting and deadlifting that I was doing. I believe I've created some type of either muscle or lower back imbalance that finally did some intense but hopefully not permanent damage.

Anyway I'm so glad I ran across your site, I'm recovering from my injury currently but I really want to change my training habits from this bodybuilding type training to an athletic one like you describe. I've spent years eating enormous amounts of food and pumping up my muscles in hopes of achieving what I saw in the magazines. This injury was a huge wake up call and I don't even look like the same person I was 5 years ago. I really regret this now because looking at some old pictures before I started doing bodybuilding I looked so much better, even doing modeling part-time.

I just wanted to ask what do I do to reverse this type of look for my body? I've read several posts of yours but what do you feel is the key components of your philosophy on training? Mainly with weight training, diet, and cardio which I need to do a ton of to get most of this weight off!!!!

Thanks Rusty for your site!!

By: Allan Innes

Allan Innes — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:43:05 +0000

What I will add is this: I am a vegetarian (with a desire, for ethical and environmental reasons, to one day go vegan), and if the above claims are true – that one must kill something in order to exist at an optimum level of health – then I will settle for living slightly below said level.

Rusty, thank you for the time that you give to this site.

By: Angie Schumacher

Angie Schumacher — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:57:24 +0000

Ahhh….wonderful guest post! If I could get all my clients to eat like this (which is exactly how I eat), they would look amazing and make progress so much faster!!

This post just helped me to feel that I am making the right choices by avoiding the carbs and eating higher, healthier fats!

(Shout out to Rusty! Sorry I been away so long, extremely busy, as I see you have been also! Hope all is well!)

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:58:27 +0000

WOW he looks great!!! Hard to believe he's in his 50's with that body! (:

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:24:53 +0000

ya rusty i agree with u, meat of some form is more or less essential to building lean muscle, and also promotes fat loss since you are getting almost pure protein (with lean meats) and less fat and carbs than you would get in vegan products. Even protein powders are usually derived from milk or some other source that strict vegans wouldn't touch. One quick q tho, didn't know where else to put it. As a teenage ectomorph who has gotten the level of musculature that I want, I am now on a mantain program but I am wondering if I should leave in cardio to say super sharp? Or will cardio eat away at the muscle? I currently do 15 min 3 times a week, I figure that's the least I can do not only to stay sharp but more importantly to keep lungs, heart etc healthy. What do you think bro?

By: AA

AA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:07:49 +0000

When thinking about the correct combination of protein, fat and carbohydrate I like to consider the egg. Inside the egg is everything needed to build a chick and maintain that chick while it is under construction. It must be quite a workout for the cells constructing such a complex organism from goop. So how much carbohydrate is there in an egg to fuel this process? Well under 3% of the total. It would appear that serious body building requires a lot of fat and protein and very few carbs.

By: Helder

Helder — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:07:58 +0000

Troy Crowley, i just loved this one:
"My young men shall never farm. Men who work the soil cannot dream, and wisdom comes to us in dreams."
Wowoka

That's what i believe, adapted to our days, and to all areas of Life

By: AFDerrick

AFDerrick — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:48:26 +0000

Wow lots of comments still. Thanks for the article, a few weeks ago you mentioned Mark's website and I go there as often as I come here (about once a day). So I say thanks for that. THe other one, I forgot Evangeline Lilly was so hot, man how am I going to get her lovely face out of my mind now?!