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The relationship between meat disgust and meat avoidance-A chicken-and-egg problem
Elisa Becker1, Stella Kozmér1, Matthias B Aulbach2,3
1Psychology Department, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Nutrition
|September 19, 2022
Summary
Reducing meat intake, even temporarily, can increase feelings of meat disgust in meat-eaters. This suggests meat avoidance may cause disgust, challenging previous theories on the meat disgust-consumption link.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Nutrition Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The relationship between meat disgust and meat consumption is not well understood.
- Previous theories suggest disgust develops after vegetarianism or that disgust drives meat avoidance.
- Empirical evidence for these pathways remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if temporary meat abstention increases meat disgust in meat-eaters.
- To examine the causal link between meat avoidance and meat disgust.
Main Methods:
- 40 meat-eaters participated in a 1-month meat-free diet challenge (Veganuary).
- Meat disgust and meat intake were measured before and after the intervention.
- Participant meat consumption during the challenge was monitored.
Main Results:
- Most participants lapsed and consumed meat during the month.
- Reductions in meat intake predicted increases in meat disgust post-intervention.
- Findings support the hypothesis that meat avoidance can lead to increased meat disgust.
Conclusions:
- Meat disgust may be a consequence rather than a cause of meat avoidance in meat-eaters.
- This supports a pathway where meat avoidance influences disgust.
- Results have implications for understanding disgust-based interventions and dietary behavior change.
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