The debate about meat consumption is often heated and polarized: on one side, proponents of vegan or vegetarian diets highlight the ethical and environmental issues related to livestock farming; on the other, some defend meat as an essential component of human nutrition and health. As is often the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
At Braciere Malatesta, a Florentine restaurant that celebrates traditional cuisine and high-quality meat, we believe it is essential to clarify these issues, dispel myths about meat, and present the real benefits of consuming sustainably sourced meat.
Today, we address this topic by tackling the most common criticisms of meat with a balanced and positive approach, acknowledging that everyone should be free to make their own dietary choices. Our goal is not to diminish the value of plant-based diets but to highlight the importance of quality meat.
Debunking myths about meat
Can plants fully replace meat?
A widespread myth is that meat provides no nutrients that cannot already be obtained from plants. This is only partially true: a properly balanced vegan diet can be healthy and provide the body with necessary nutrients. However, meat is an irreplaceable source of certain essential nutrients for human health.
For example, vitamin B12 is crucial for nervous system function and red blood cell production. It is found only in animal-based foods, while its presence in plants is limited to non-bioavailable forms (from bacterial contamination or fermentation), making it unreliable.
Additionally, only meat provides high-quality proteins with all essential amino acids, zinc, heme iron (more easily absorbed than plant-based iron), and biologically active omega-3s (DHA), which are mainly found in fish and some algae.
Thus, while a vegetarian or vegan diet requires careful planning and supplementation, high-quality meat can be part of a balanced diet for those who prefer omnivorous eating habits.
“Meat is toxic”: truth or exaggeration?
Another common myth is that meat contains toxins. While this statement is technically true, it’s important to recognize that all foods, both animal and plant-based, naturally contain substances that could be harmful in large quantities. For example, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains contain antinutrients or natural compounds that could be toxic in excessive amounts.
However, the human body is well-equipped to handle these substances. Toxins in meat (and in food in general) are not an issue when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The real issue lies in overconsumption and the quality of the food.
Animal welfare during the livestock’s life cycle is also critical—not just for ethical reasons but because it directly impacts the quality and purity of the meat. Sustainable farming practices ensure that animal well-being is intrinsically linked to the quality of the end product.
Humans are neither herbivores nor carnivores: we are omnivores
Another myth is that humans are not naturally designed to eat meat. For many scholars, this is false. While we are not obligate carnivores, we are also not herbivores: we lack the enzymes to digest cellulose and cannot survive solely on raw foods like many herbivores.
Humans are, by nature, omnivorous. Our digestive system is designed to process both animal and plant-based foods. Some argue that humans are frugivores (primarily fruit and seed eaters), but this is also inaccurate: prehistoric fruit was less sweet and ripe than today’s varieties and would not have met our nutritional needs.
Historically, meat has always been part of the human diet, providing essential energy and nutrients, especially during times when plant-based foods were scarce.
Meat and sustainability: the role of livestock farming
One of the primary objections to meat consumption is its environmental impact. However, it is essential to distinguish between intensive farming and sustainable pasture-based farming.
Intensive farming is indeed unsustainable, consuming vast resources, polluting, and producing low-quality meat.
In contrast, traditional pasture-based farming is a sustainable practice that integrates seamlessly with agriculture. Grazing livestock, for instance, consume grass that humans cannot digest and naturally return nutrients to the soil through their waste, fertilizing the land.
Throughout history, animals have played a crucial role on multifunctional farms, maintaining soil fertility, controlling pests, and transforming agricultural by-products into valuable resources. Even slaughter by-products were repurposed, ensuring nothing was wasted. Removing animals from agriculture would force reliance on chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, making sustainable farming impossible without genetic engineering and GMOs.
Sustainable practices that respect the natural cycles of animal life and farming remain the most ecological solution today.
The focus should not be on blaming livestock farming itself but on addressing harmful industrial practices. The real issue is not whether to eat animals or plants but how they are produced. Both intensive farming and industrial agriculture are unsustainable, whereas traditional agriculture and pasture-based farming are complementary and sustainable practices.
The moral question
The moral aspect is a central element of the debate. Veganism is undeniably rooted in strong moral and ethical principles, but turning this personal choice into a universal obligation would be misguided. Ethics is a complex issue, and decisions are often based on arbitrary limits and personal values.
What we advocate for is a return to sustainable, integrated agricultural practices and mutual respect for individual choices.
Quality meat as a conscious choice
In conclusion, the key issue is not whether to eat meat but which meat to consume and how it is produced. Ethically sourced, local, and sustainable meat is a healthy, nutrient-rich food.
At Braciere Malatesta, we celebrate meat with passion and respect, focusing on sourcing only the highest quality products from farms that prioritize animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
This reflects our values: we believe that eating meat should be a conscious and responsible choice, offering pleasure while connecting with health and Italian culinary traditions. These traditions teach us that balance, quality, and flavor are the keys to a healthy and satisfying diet.
