Does Elon Musk Eat Meat?
The answer to this question is not so straightforward. Some may know that the tech entrepreneur and founder of Tesla, Elon Musk, is a vocal supporter of a plant-based lifestyle. However, he has been photographed having meals with apparent meat dishes. Hence, whether or not his diet is predominantly vegetarian/vegan, is still in question.
Musk’s current diet, along with his prior quotes on where he stands on vegetarianism, must be taken into account when attempting to answer this question. Musk’s plant-based diet has been endorsed by tech billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates. In addition, Musk has stated, “I do not eat any food products made from animals.” This was in response to a November 2015 tweet.
This statement puts Musk in line with the larger conversation about animal welfare and a global shift towards sustainable living. This lifestyle shift is reflected in Musk’s other ventures – whether it is in SpaceX, Tesla, or the Boring Company. By adopting such an ideology, Musk is bringing awareness to the industrious methods humans use to obtain meat, and the cost of doing so.
Regardless of the statement made in 2015, Musk has had his share of discrepancies. In 2020, he was, reportedly, seen in a meal with steaks, BBQ ribs, and other apparent meat dishes. It begs the question – Is he going against his own ideals? It is difficult to confirm, one way or another, whether he strays from his plant-based lifestyle every now and then. What can be inferred is that he has an uncomplicated relationship with meat.
It is plausible that Musk consumes meat, albeit on an occasional basis. It is possible that he condones meat consumption in general, yet he wants to minimise his own significantly. There have been other sources that suggest that he eats mostly vegan meals, with the exception of seafood – which would be classified as pescetarian. One thing to take away from all this is that exact diet of Elon Musk cannot be accurately pinned down.
Limiting Meat Consumption
Regarding the sustainability of a plant-based lifestyle, Musk has been unyielding in promoting the merits of such a lifestyle. Not to the point of completely abstaining from meat consumption, but from minimising its consumption when possible. This is connected to his larger advocacy for sustainable energies and practices. Whether or not this relationship is formed in the strictest sense is left for further discussion.
What is certain, however is that Musk advocates for limiting meat consumption overall. This is evident in the food institutions he backs such as Beyond Meat, a vegan meat alternative boasting a huge success. Beyond Meat’s first quarter report in 2020 was received with much acclaim, as the market size of veganism continues to grow. The prospects of other vegan meat alternatives have also been explored.
Moreover, it is no secret that opting for a plant-based diet drastically reduces carbon emissions. According to a study released by Joseph Poore of Oxford University, the meat industry is responsible for up to 51% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. This correlates with Musk’s views on the issue of climate change and global warming – which he deems to be the greatest threat to our world.
In light of these facts, Musk has displayed a concerted effort to inform the public of the benefits of veganism/vegetarianism. He has also publicly praised the benefits of a purely plant-based diet on psychological health. His support for the plant-based lifestyle is uncompromising, even if he opts to consume meat on a rare occasion.
Addressing Potential Contradictions
Contradictions of Musk’s moderate stance are worth acknowledging. It is possible that Musk’s views on vegetarianism and veganism are overshadowed by his unintentional endorsements of food items made from animal products. His appearance at steakhouses or in photographs with food of animal origins might make it difficult for observers to relate him with vegetarianism or veganism.
It is too reductive to label Musk as a meat consumer or plant-based consumer without further consideration. His contributions to animal welfare are rooted in knowledge and a commitment to sustainable the practice of sustainable living. This should be respected, and taken into account on the question at hand.
In the past, Musk has been open to discussions on the matter at hand. Famed British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver colluded with him on the matter of adopting vegetarianism/veganism in 2018. Even though Musk might eat meat in certain occasions, his overall attitude towards the plant-based lifestyle is quite adamant.
Plant-Based Alternatives
Presently, there are an overwhelming number of options for those interested in adopting a veggie/vegan lifestyle. This can be seen in the growing market size of vegan food systems and services worldwide. A large variety of plant-based foods and food products are available for consumers, including meat alternatives.
One of the most popular vegan meat alternatives is the Beyond Burger, which boasts 20g of plant-based protein and has no cholesterol. It is a great option for those looking for a healthy vegan beef alternative. Other popular vegan beef alternatives include Gardein’s The Ultimate Beefless Ground and Impossible Burger.
These products provide a significantly healthier alternative to the traditional beef burger, while still providing the nutrients and protein benefits in a more sustainable fashion. Plant-based burgers are becoming increasingly popular, with major fast food chains such as Burger King and KFC rolling out vegan menu items.
As veganism and plant-based diets gain more traction, more vegan and vegetarian restaurants have been established. This has enabled more people to have access to vegan/vegetarian options, as well as more sustainable options.
Climate Awareness in the Industry
The status of animal welfare and the growing recklessness of the meat industry are issues that Musk has been vocal about for some time. It does not stop there, as a number of tech billionaires advocate for limiting meat consumption, or abstaining from it completely. These figures include Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson.
The influence of tech billionaires on the nature of the meat industry cannot be overstated. Their advocacy for limiting or abstaining from meat consumption has placed the issue of sustainability and animal welfare on the global agenda. It is a prospect that has been furthered by the shrinking meat industry, nor can it be ignored the increasing popularity of plant-based food items.
The likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson have placed climate change and animal welfare on the public agenda. These tech moguls are changing the food industry and their ideological stances have changed consumer behaviour – particularly with regards to meat-eating.
A Growing Trend
Various studies attest to the trend of declining meat consumption. In the United Kingdom, Vegetarian and vegan restaurants have enjoyed success in the last 3 years. This has corresponded with an increasing trend in vegetarian and vegan diets, along with vegetarian and veganism cuisine.
On a global level, the largest survey on vegetarianism and veganism reported that 39% of the survey respondents identified as vegetarians or vegans. This marks a significant jump from just one year prior. This trend can be attributed to a number of factors, with prominent figures such as Elon Musk expanding the conversation of plant-based diets.
In a culture where vegetarian/vegan diets were disparaged, the growing trend in vegan/vegetarianism is also part of a larger conversation on animal welfare and sustainability. Various trends have further enabled people to substitute their meat-eating habits with sustainable vegan/vegetarian diets.
Conclusion
The question Does Elon Musk Eat Meat, cannot be answered in the strictest sense. Some may know that the tech entrepreneur and founder of Tesla, Elon Musk, is a vocal supporter of a plant-based lifestyle. It can be inferred that he has an uncomplicated relationship with meat, sometimes eating it, but from the evidence presented, the exact diet of Elon Musk cannot be accurately pinned down.
Focus has been placed on the growing trend of veganism and vegetarianism, along with Musk’s contributions to the matter. This is coupled with data on the meat industry and its effect on global emissions, as Musk and other tech billionaires place the matter of climate change on the global agenda.
Conclusively, it can be said that Elon Musk’s stance on diet is arguably moderate – in certain occasions he consumes meat, but overall, he advocates for reducing and limiting its consumption. He contributes to the larger conversation on veganism/vegetarianism and animal welfare, while still maintaining a distinction from firm vegetarian or vegan stances.
