Lean meat is part of a healthy diet
An exact copy of the supposedly "grassroots" letter telling people to eat vegetables rather than meat at Memorial Day barbeques this weekend also ran in many other news outlets ("Try veggie options on grill this Memorial Day," May 22.) This was clearly an anti-meat organization's desperate and phony attempt to give the appearance that its dietary agenda has broad public support. This kind of campaign is known as "astroturfing" because it lacks true grassroots – which is ironic, given the pro-plant inclinations of these vegetarian groups.
Despite the reckless and unscientific scare tactics against meat, experts agree that lean meat is an important part of a healthy diet. According to the National Institute of Health, Vitamin B12, which is vital for brain development, is only found naturally in animal products. Meat is also high in zinc, iron, riboflavin, niacin, and many other important nutrients.
Many vegetables also taste good on the barbeque. Astroturf does not.
Will Coggin,Senior Research Analyst, Center for Consumer Freedom, Washington, D.C.