Aug 13

Aug 13 My Beef with Meatless Meat

Yesterday I did something so scary and so out of character: I went on camera on my IG stories and talked about Meatless Meat, The Impossible Burger, Beyond Meat et al.

If you want to tune into the awkwardness, head over to my Instagram profile and click on my “Eat Beef” highlight.

I’ve been thinking about writing about this for awhile now, because marketing can be misleading and I think everyone should know that what they’re actually consuming isn’t notably healthier (or natural).

Earlier this week I came across this graphic done by Cattletales (if you haven’t already, check them out on social, I’ll link them below) and shared on my personal FB page with the big deal facts: 6x the amount of sodium and SO many fillers.

What I believe is being positioned to be healthier and more natural in fact, simply isn’t.

Now, a little background on me: I am from the suburbs of Kansas City. I did not grow up ranching or even within a degree of touching the beef or ag industry. Horses were and are my thing, and the equine industry was what led me to Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State, then I married a cattleman (I actually met Matt BEFORE declaring my major). Matt’s passion and career is in the beef industry, and as we got more serious in dating his passions quickly became mine.

All this being said, I feel like I have a unique perspective and an even more unique audience. City girl turned agvocate. After some (ok, a lot) of mental dialogue and back and forth, I went ahead and shared my opinion and stated some facts hoping it would reach more than just my “aggie” friends. Maybe it would reach a former classmate, maybe a family member.

This post isn’t trying to dissuade you from eating what you want, with 100% beef or beefless. You do you. I just wanted to give some insight. I welcome you to do your own research and let me know what you found!

Have you tried a meatless burger? What did you think?

Shoutout to Cattletales for all you do! I’m a BIG fan. If you haven’t already, check them out!