Our Ego Hurts Animals
Being "right" is often the worst thing we can do
The latest book by Peter Attia, MD, Outlive*, discusses our best understanding of how to have the greatest healthspan - i.e., living as long as possible while healthy.**
A key takeaway is that most of us don't get enough protein, especially those of us who are older.
This inconvenient truth goes against the Vegan Dogma, which insists that people in the developed world get too much protein.
Vegans don't say "too much protein" because we have done an honest, rigorous review of all the latest research. Rather, we say "too much protein" because we can't admit there might be any question about veganism's ease or perfection. This denial is taken to absurd and harmful extremes; e.g., one of the most common cups of Kool-Aid to consume is that even broccoli has enough protein.
Here's a secret:
No one has ever stopped eating animals because of that broccoli line.
Here’s another fact generally unspoken in the “Vegan” community: The vast majority of people who stop eating animals go back to eating animals. And today, after decades of Vegan advocacy and “too much protein,” the average person in the United States (and in the world) has never eaten more factory-farmed animals.
Another tenet of the Vegan Dogma is that everyone else is to blame for veganism's lack of impact. I get it - Vegans*** have their self-worth tied to the perfection of their Veganism. Yes, yes, I get it: Vegans are all much, much smarter and better than the rest of us.
However, those of us who care about helping animals instead of Defending the Faith must answer for our absolute failure to make the world a better place for other animals. That includes me (one of the reasons I wrote Losing****).
In addition to two other factors,***** dishonesty regarding health and nutrition drives the 80+% failure rate of new vegetarians and vegans. We are dishonest with ourselves (We Want to Believe) as well as with others.
For example: Every time I make this broccoli point, a Vegan will angrily comment: "But broccoli does have enough protein!"
<sigh>
I don't expect this column (or anything I write) to have any impact in the broader world. Humans - myself included - are fundamentally insecure and in desperate need of validation. But I would suggest you, my smart and good-looking friend, check out Dr. Attia. Here is a recommended podcast* that covers the book in depth. You don’t have to like either of them for it to be worth your while to understand what highly-educated doctors are saying.
Beyond understanding “the other side,” this information could help you be healthier and happier. Personally, I am working to get more protein (without increasing calories) and build up muscle, especially given my history [!] and age.
*Attia's book is wildly overwritten and could use a Cliff Notes version. Sam Harris published an hour of his interview with Attia (we won't give Harris any of our money, so we're not subscribers and can't say anything about the last two hours). As expected, Harris used the opportunity to take a shot at vegetarians re: protein.
**Dr. Attia says he used to think that nutrition was the most important factor to healthspan, but now thinks exercise is more important.
***Obviously, most people who don't eat animal products aren't self-centered dogmatists. But you know people who capitalize "Vegan" and can't discuss anything without saying the word "Vegan" over and over. It is why I argue in Losing that those of us who want to reduce suffering should stop using the word "vegan."
****You didn't think I'd go an entire post w/o mentioning the book, did you?
*****The two other main ways we hurt animals: lack of thoughtfulness in our messaging and anger & fanaticism. Shocking, I know.
PS: The daughter of one of the most famous vegan advocates ever is now an ex-vegan, pro-meat social media influencer. You can see her in this interview saying, “The human body can’t be vegan and healthy” and “I’m going to be eating animal protein at every single meal, because I believe that that’s how I can keep my life and my health.” On her website, she touts her abandonment of vegan eating and urges meat and seafood consumption to stay well.
Hiding from or simply attacking people like that doesn’t help animals. Understanding is the only way to actually make a difference with those outside our “tribe.”
PPS: I'm not exempting myself from this post's title, as I hope Losing makes clear.