New Poll: More Than Half of Men Think Meat Is ‘Masculine’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Men’s Health Month approaches in June, a new Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult poll finds that most men, 53%, consider a carnivore diet—eating only animal products—to be “masculine,” compared with 10% of men who consider a plant-based diet to be “masculine.” Sixty-three percent of men surveyed said they would likely change their diet if the foods they associated with masculinity were harmful to their health.

The poll, which was conducted among 1,020 U.S. men from May 12 to 14, 2026, also found that when asked about specific foods, 49% of men considered meat “masculine,” while 35% considered soy products “feminine.” Other foods were less likely to have a gender associated with them. Men ages 18-34 were most likely to associate dietary patterns with masculinity.

“Meatfluencers and the manosphere are pushing the disease-causing myth that consuming meat and milk is manly,” says Noah Praamsma, registered dietitian with the Physicians Committee. “But make no mistake, these foods can be detrimental to men’s health—from heart disease and prostate cancer to erectile dysfunction and reduced fertility.”

A recent review of several studies found that the carnivore diet carries substantial risks of nutrient deficiencies, reduced intake of health-promoting phytochemicals, and the development of heart disease.

“A diet with no or very few fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans is dangerous,” adds Praamsma. “Fiber, carbohydrates, phytochemicals like lycopene in tomatoes and resveratrol in grapes and berries, and other nutrients found in plant foods are essential for men’s health.”

Foods high in saturated fat, such as meat and whole milk, raise LDL “bad” cholesterol levels, which increase the risk of heart disease—the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Abundant research shows that consuming meat increases heart disease mortality.

Avoiding red and processed meats may also help protect against erectile dysfunction, which can be an early indicator of heart disease. One meta-analysis of 25 studies found that men with ED had a 59% higher risk of coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis, a 34% higher risk of stroke, and a 33% higher risk of dying from any cause, compared with men without symptoms of ED.

A meaty diet may also make men less fertile, according to research that found eating processed meat, such as bacon, hot dogs, and deli meat, is associated with lower sperm count.

“The good news is that men who want to improve their health by moving away from meat have plenty of healthy plant-based alternatives to choose from,” says Praamsma, “whether that’s veggie burgers or plant-based sausage from the grocery store or countless recipes using grains, beans, vegetables, and soy products.”

Praamsma recommends trying recipes like tempeh bacon, hearty veggie burgers, sloppy lentil joes, pulled jackfruit and mushroom barbecue sandwiches, universal not-so-meaty loaf, and garden veggie meatballs.

When asked about which foods contain estrogens, an equal percentage of men polled, 24%, said that both dairy products and soy products contained the hormone. Dairy products do contain estrogens and increase the risk of hormone-related cancers. Soy products, on the other hand, contain phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like plant compounds and lower risk.

Studies indicate that consuming dairy is associated with prostate cancer risk. Estrogens, which may play a role in the development and progression of prostate cancer, are present in all cow’s milk but are more concentrated when cows are milked while they are pregnant. This is common; most dairy cows are impregnated annually and milked during much of their pregnancy.

High consumption of soy milk, which contains phytoestrogens, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Research looking at 38 clinical studies found no effects of soy on testosterone or estrogen levels in men.

Avoiding animal products and consuming a plant-based diet can also help men prevent and reverse heart disease, reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction, improve sperm quality, and protect against prostate cancer.