Today we began our unit on Plant Meat and Milk. As you most certainly know, plant-based diets have attracted plenty of attention. This has occurred for all sorts of reasons, including health, environment, ethical, and sustainability reasons.
Here is an interesting article from the Conversation that was written by Dr. , a Professor of American History and a George Washington scholar. He mentions that our founders would have been all in favor of this shift from a meat-centric diet to diets based on vegetables. Indeed, during the Revolutionary War, General Washington considered that “The health of the army cannot be preserved without a due portion of vegetable diet. This must be procured whatever may be the expense.”
Moreover, he claims that abstaining from heavy meat diets, so-called “dude foods”, was certainly not a sign of weakness. Indeed, he suggested moderation and disciplined eating were manly attributes.
Now that’s some serious revolutionary thinking.
Comments
It’s hard to believe that someone from back then, even our founding fathers, would believe in the benefit of vegetables compared to proteins. Before the science we know today, what could have motivated this way of thinking? Could they be thinking of a balanced diet, or could they believe that vegetables are more beneficial on their own?
I agree with George Washington and I find it very interesting that this is something that he believed. Vegetables are so full of nutrients that you can only get from vegetables and there are other sources of protein besides meat, even though meat is very accessible. As with everything, I think diet is about a balance and it seems like maybe George Washington would agree with me on that.
I think it is fascinating that Washington valued a balanced, vegetable-inclusive diet as essential for health and resilience, even in the 18th century. His view challenges modern stereotypes around “dude foods” and heavy meat consumption, suggesting that moderation and discipline in eating were considered admirable. This perspective aligns well with current trends towards plant-based diets for health, environmental, and ethical reasons, making it clear that the idea of balanced, plant-based nutrition is not just modern but also has deep historical roots.
I found this article very interesting, I did not realize that hundreds of years ago people were that aware of their diet and how consuming a lot of animal foods could have an effect on their health. I also find it interesting that they were not only aware of the physical but also the mental benefits of such a diet, they believed that moderation of animal products would lead to a clearer mind to think about the future of the nation. I wonder what Washington and Jefferson would think of modern days products like the impossible burger or almond milk.