4 ms·

I'm surprised that China eats more meat per capita (17%) than most of the rest of the world. Hong Kong is at the top (29%), followed by Argentina (19%), Vietna

by pcl 11y ago

I'm surprised that China eats more meat per capita (17%) than most of the rest of the world. Hong Kong is at the top (29%), followed by Argentina (19%), Vietnam (18%), and then China and Australia, both at 17%. China's lead even holds up in absolute Calorie terms -- 509 Calories vs 469 in the US. However, interestingly, the Chinese eat less mass of meat per capita than the US. I wonder if that's due to eating more energy-rich parts of animals or if their animals are bred to have more energy-rich meat.

theunixbeard 11y ago
Fat == 9 calories per gram Protein == 4 calories per gram So if a culture's fat : protein ratio is higher, then for a given weight of meat there will be more calories consumed. Anecdotally, in China it seems meat-dishes tend to be much fattier than in the US. For example: https://www.google.com/search?q=hong+shao+rou&tbm=isch https://www.google.com/search?q=hong+shao+rou&tbm=isch That's pork belly ; AKA the thickest bacon cut imaginable and naturally very fatty (also delicious). ----- Source: I lived in Shenzhen, China for 4 months.
- sliverstorm 11y ago
  in China it seems meat-dishes tend to be much fattier Seems to be a preference thing. At least according to one immigrant Vietnamese family I was close with growing up, muscle is rather bland and boring in texture. They strongly preferred the fat & connective tissue for their flavor & texture respectively, and dishes were always very oily. As far as I know, Western diets used to be fattier, but out of concern for the diseases of civilization animal fats have been reduced.
jkarneges 11y ago
Chinese (and Asians in general) have higher rates of lactose intolerance, which could explain the higher meat consumption. This is likely not the whole story, but it may contribute.
- dragonwriter 11y ago
  > Chinese (and Asians in general) have higher rates of lactose intolerance, which could explain the higher meat consumption. As I understand it, the mutation for lactose tolerance is rare outside of those of Northern European descent.
  - trynumber9 11y ago
    Almost. Lactase persistence is more frequent among people with a cattle history. It's common in certain groups in Africa, notably the Tuareg and Fulani. It must have developed separately multiple times. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactase_persistence#Distribution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactase_persistence#Distributi...
muddyrivers 11y ago
I think it is better to compare "grams per person" than "calories per person" in meat consumption. In most East Asian cuisines, whole animal is more preferred than muscle meat. In general, non-muscle meat are fattier and thus contains more calories. For example, bellies and ribs. Also, it will be nice to compare the total number of pigs, cows, poultries consumed. I know it is hard to gather these data. Seafood should be separated from meat. I wonder if soy products like tofu, tempeh, etc. are included in Vegetables section.

by pcl 11y ago

theunixbeard 11y ago

Fat == 9 calories per gram Protein == 4 calories per gram So if a culture's fat : protein ratio is higher, then for a given weight of meat there will be more calories consumed. Anecdotally, in China it seems meat-dishes tend to be much fattier than in the US. For example: https://www.google.com/search?q=hong+shao+rou&tbm=isch https://www.google.com/search?q=hong+shao+rou&tbm=isch That's pork belly ; AKA the thickest bacon cut imaginable and naturally very fatty (also delicious). ----- Source: I lived in Shenzhen, China for 4 months.

sliverstorm 11y ago
in China it seems meat-dishes tend to be much fattier Seems to be a preference thing. At least according to one immigrant Vietnamese family I was close with growing up, muscle is rather bland and boring in texture. They strongly preferred the fat & connective tissue for their flavor & texture respectively, and dishes were always very oily. As far as I know, Western diets used to be fattier, but out of concern for the diseases of civilization animal fats have been reduced.

jkarneges 11y ago

Chinese (and Asians in general) have higher rates of lactose intolerance, which could explain the higher meat consumption. This is likely not the whole story, but it may contribute.

dragonwriter 11y ago
> Chinese (and Asians in general) have higher rates of lactose intolerance, which could explain the higher meat consumption. As I understand it, the mutation for lactose tolerance is rare outside of those of Northern European descent.
- trynumber9 11y ago
  Almost. Lactase persistence is more frequent among people with a cattle history. It's common in certain groups in Africa, notably the Tuareg and Fulani. It must have developed separately multiple times. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactase_persistence#Distribution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactase_persistence#Distributi...

muddyrivers 11y ago

I think it is better to compare "grams per person" than "calories per person" in meat consumption. In most East Asian cuisines, whole animal is more preferred than muscle meat. In general, non-muscle meat are fattier and thus contains more calories. For example, bellies and ribs. Also, it will be nice to compare the total number of pigs, cows, poultries consumed. I know it is hard to gather these data. Seafood should be separated from meat. I wonder if soy products like tofu, tempeh, etc. are included in Vegetables section.