chickens chocolate coffee arms race

The Chicken, Coffee and Chocolate Arms Race

Gavin Wren Food Opinion Pieces, Writing

Deciphering what food is acceptable to eat is incredibly confusing and frequently exposes the internal contradictions of the human condition.


Dr Tara Garnett recently highlighted my personal conflicts when talking about the effect of food on climate change. The evidence surrounding eating too much meat poured through the air as heads nodded sagely, while virtuous “eat less meat” campaigns formulated in the quasi-vegetarian minds around the room. Then came the shocker, her evidence also suggests we should drink less coffee and tea, and eat less chocolate.



Well screw that. Contemplating quitting coffee and chocolate gave me a glimpse into the world of an NRA member when asked to lay down their arms; you can prise my double espresso and 70% dark chocolate from my cold, dead hands. I began to question why I tell people to eat less meat. Is it because I eat little meat myself, hence a form of virtue signalling? Perhaps because of my moral compass? Because I want to save the world? Or because that’s what evidence tells me to say?

chickens chocolate coffee arms race

Upon suggesting that I restrict my consumption of foods that I enjoy daily, I became as defensive as a pro-Brexit campaigner. I’m comfortable telling people to align with my beliefs about eating less meat, yet when contrasting opinions backed with evidence challenge my norms, it’s as socially acceptable as nosing the stilton. 


Should my diet be restricted, or should I be allowed to eat whatever I wish, as long as I can afford it? It makes a compelling case for full carbon pricing, where products are taxed according to the environmental impact of their production, thus effecting change without any of the “eat less meat” campaigns. Completely removing products such as meat and chocolate from the market is impossible, like guns in the US, so perhaps the best solution is making ownership a much more accountable task, rather than asking people to stop using them.


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