People in the Western world eat a lot of meat: almost 100 kg per person (or even more in the USA, Australia and Luxembourg) in 2011 – compared to the world average of just 42 kg. Long believed to be essential for health and strength, meat-eating is now accused of a multitude of ills: at a time when meat production appears to be one of the leading causes of climate change, should we continue to eat meat? What nutrients might we lack if we do, and how can those problems be avoided?

Meat-eating has negative effects on our health: it can lead to cardio-vascular problems, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as contributing to the prevalence of some cancers (particularly of the colon).

And yet, meat also provides nutrients, especially proteins, that are indispensable to our body’s health. While Dr. Lecerf recommends strongly increasing our vegetable protein intake, he also warns us about the risk of certain deficiencies, and explains how to balance our menus.

Finally, the book weighs in on what is currently a controversial issue, advocating putting both pleasure and common sense back into our eating habits.

A book that explores our eating habits without dogmatism: as the author puts it, Let’s not let food become a new form of totalitarianism, moral principle or religion. In nutrition terms, the real truth is called diversity and moderation. So should we eat less meat? Yes, both for our own sake and for the planet’s. But eliminate meat entirely? It’s up to each of us to decide for themselves.