Protein needs and possible modifications of the American diet

The matter of protein needs is almost irrelevant in the discussion of appropriate modification of the American diet. Our total food supply system from the producer through the processor to the retail distributor is wasteful of energy and produces a food supply of less than optimal quality. The energy crisis may have a favorable effect on the food supply. We should and no doubt will contribute to the world food supply for a long time to come, but eventually the countries in need of food must solve their problems internally. In the long run, we can probably do more by attempting to conserve resources than by trying to feed the world.