Every year, a total of 87.9 billion land animals are slaughtered for food. Animals are treated in dreadful conditions to keep up with a broken food system that harms your health and the planet’s.
How is it decided that there is an annual limit to meat consumption?
By the 24th of June, we, as a global community, will have exhausted our annual meat allowance. This means we need two Earths to supply the resources that support our current meat intake.
Current business-as-usual farming practices of animals are causing disastrous pollution and destruction on our planet, and are affecting humans with diseases and deaths. Until factory farming is globally stopped, and as long as there are torture-sourced animal-based foods to buy, we as consumers need to be making better choices.
Let us reflect on our meat consumption. Let us ask where our food comes from and what its impact is. We can decide what we purchase by:
- Reducing meat consumption to fit within planetary health boundaries,
- Refining our choices to traceable and sustainable cruelty-free products,
- And replacing meat with plant-based alternatives.
How do I know how many grams of meat my portion sizes contain?
You can find a table with portion sizes in grams and ounces here.
Meat Consumption Calculator
Does your meat consumption fit within the Planetary Boundaries?
How many animals are slaughtered for your food per year?
See the numbers behind your plate
Beef
Pork
Chicken
Horse
Duck
Sheep
Goat
Turkey
Goose
The environmental impact of your consumption
Get a clearer picture of your footprint
The total climate harming emissions of the meat you eat equals driving XXXkm, in an average European car.
On XXX you have consumed the total amount of meat the EAT scientist recommend as maximum for a whole year!
Comparing your diet to the planetary health diet
See how your diet compares to what the experts recommend
Kilograms per year
Planetary Health Diet
Your consumption
The Planetary Health Diet is a dietary framework developed by global scientists to optimize human health and minimize environmental impact. Its aim is to provide diets for a growing global population while reducing pressure on the climate, land, water and biodiversity.
The comparison on the graph shows how your meat consumption aligns with their recommended levels.
Red meat (Beef, pork, lamb)
Poultry (Chicken, duck, turkey, goose)
The Planetary Health Diet is a dietary framework developed by global scientists to optimize human health and minimize environmental impact. Its aim is to provide diets for a growing global population while reducing pressure on the climate, land, water and biodiversity.
The comparison on the graph shows how your meat consumption aligns with their recommended levels.
Meat Consumption Calculator Explanation
The Meat Consumption Calculator provides users with insight into the impact of their meat intake, notably on the number of animals slaughtered for their individual consumption and on the environment.
What is a ‘meat exhaustion day’?
It is the time of the year when an entity would have reached its annual limit in meat consumption.
Who said there is an annual meat limit?
We live on a planet with limited resources whose proper functioning depends on ecological balances known as planetary boundaries. When these limits are exceeded, ecosystems degrade, and the conditions for human life are threatened. That means there’s only so much we can use before we use up resources and start harming the Earth.
The same is true for meat. Producing meat uses a lot of resources, like land and water, and it creates greenhouse gas emissions and pollution that further pressure Earth; all of this significantly contributes to exceeding the planetary boundaries. To address these challenges, the EAT-Lancet scientific commission has defined a reference diet aimed at reconciling human health with respect for planetary boundaries. It recommends limiting meat consumption to 316 grams per week.
What does that mean? What can I do?
Evaluate your meat consumption and see if your habits fit within planetary and health boundaries.
Then, if your consumption exceeds the limit, you need to take necessary steps and reduce your meat consumption.
If you are eating more than the recommended amount, it’s a good idea to cut back on your meat consumption.
You can start by reducing the amount of meat you eat and swapping it for plant-based alternatives in your meals. Try to vary your diet, serve smaller portions of meat and include more plant-based foods.
You could also replace animal proteins with options like tofu, lentils, and pulses. They are nutritious and better for animals and the planet.
All that’s left is to get started. To understand where your meat consumption stands and set reduction goals, begin with the first step: visit the calculator and discover your Meat Exhaustion Day!
On average, one person on earth consumes 34.33 kilograms of meat per year, causing the killing of a total of 18 animals that differ in shape and size.
What's next?
Learn more about your results and how they impact your daily life
Strongly recommend to reduce
It is much higher than the EAT-Lancet commission's recommendation. Try gradually incorporating more plant-based proteins or increase the number of meals centered around vegetables and whole foods. Small changes can benefit both your health and the environment.
Recommend to reduce significantly
By reducing portion sizes, making the occasional swap, or trying more plant-based dishes, it can help improve your sustainability score over time. Exploring new options can also be enjoyable, especially when you do it together with family and friends.
Manageable with some reduction
Consider occasionally reducing portion sizes or swapping out a serving of meat once or twice a week. There’s no need for a dramatic overnight fix – just gradual, manageable changes to help you find the right balance.
You‘re doing good!
If you decide to reduce your meat intake further, it would bring additional benefits for animal welfare, as eating less meat helps reduce the number of animals needed for food production.
Congratulations!
According to the EAT-Lancet guidelines, your eating habits are fully aligned with a planet friendly diet. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or simply choosing not to eat meat right now, your choices have a positive impact.
