Men eat less vegetables because they are afraid of… becoming less manly?

A controversial sociological study in the UK shows that many men still associate eating meat with 'manliness', while considering vegetables or vegan food as less masculine.

Many men said they "find it hard to give up their meat-eating habit", while others admitted they feared being "less manly" if they didn't eat meat.

Meat has long been associated with images of strength, hunting and power in Western culture. To find out more, a team at the University of Exeter (UK) surveyed more than 1,000 men about their eating habits and gender beliefs.

Results published in The Conversation show that people who agree with “traditional masculine” norms tend to eat more red meat and poultry, and are less likely to accept cutting back on meat or replacing it with dairy and vegetarian foods.

In online discussion groups, many men deny the link between gender and food. They insist that “food is just food” and that there is no distinction between “manly” and “feminine” dishes.

Others believe that meat is tied to social status. Many shared that when dining with the “alpha males” in their group of friends, they always felt pressured to order steak instead of salad or pasta to “not appear less masculine.”

In addition to social factors, the study also noted gender differences in eating habits. Many men admitted that women in their family or partners found it easier to eat less meat, while they themselves "difficult to give up the habit of liking meat".

Another interesting finding was how men viewed plant-based alternatives. Products like “vegan meat” were often judged as “unnatural,” “unpalatable,” and “not nutritious enough.” One young commenter said that reading labels on vegan foods revealed unfamiliar chemical compounds, while chicken was “just chicken.”

Many people also worry that a vegan diet may be nutritionally deficient or harmful to health, unless strictly prescribed by a doctor.

For some young men, eating meat is also linked to lifestyle and fitness. One 18-29 year old said his friends all work out and consider meat their main source of protein, and if he gave up meat he would "have to change his group of friends".

These results highlight the complex relationship between gender, social perceptions and eating behaviour. While the survey found a clear link between masculinity and meat consumption, many men themselves were unaware of it or unwilling to acknowledge it.

This poses a challenge to campaigns calling for meat reduction, which are seen as an important solution for public health and the environment.

MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dan-ong-it-an-rau-vi-so-bot-dan-ong-20250929113549869.htm