What does Bill Clinton’s vegan diet have to do with the Chinese eating more meat?

The meat counter at a Wal-Mart in China. Photo credits: iasoybeans.com

If you’re curious about what Bill Clinton’s eating habits have to do with the Chinese developing a taste for red meat, read on.

I was in the midst of Daniel Quinn’s novel, Ishmael, all about the takers and leavers, and how the takers are destroying the earth in their greedy efforts to expand and protect their food production, when I caught the CBS Evening News report on why U.S. grocery prices are up. If you thought the Chinese are still eating only rice and fish, you’re in for a big surprise:

(CBS News)

 

BEIJING - The booming economy in China has increased the country's appetite for oil - that is well known. But what you might not know is prosperity has also increased China's appetite for another commodity - meat.

The report continues:

But there's a problem. China's approximately the same size as the United States but its land supports four times the population: 1.3 billion people. Year after year of drought has lead to severe water shortages, and that means trouble for a country trying to raise an expanding number of livestock.

Here’s the deal back home: the Chinese are importing American food products and driving our grocery prices up; that’s the short-term problem. The long-term problem is what Ishmael is talking about – the ultimate destruction of the planet.

Okay. Now I understand why I’ve cut back on meat consumption lately and added more rice to my diet; I’m trying to live within my means. Seriously, folks, I make a large bowl of brown rice and use it to supplement my meals throughout the week.

Just when I started feeling sorry for myself and blaming those inconsiderate Chinese for changing their dietary habits, our good buddy from Arkansas, once known for his love of burgers and fries, grabbed the spotlight with this headline: Bill Clinton, Champion Of The Plant-Based Diet, Goes Vegan. The Huffington Post reports:

Bill Clinton is a vegan -- or is, at least, very close to being one. 

The former U.S. president told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta this week that he doesn't eat any dairy, eggs or meat, and consumes very little oil. He first opened up about his new plant-based diet last year to CNN's Wolf Blitzer. Clinton has turned to eating solely plants in order to keep weight off and his heart healthy. 

So I guess we should all follow Bill’s lead for a healthier life and balancing our budgets.