Physicians Committee poll finds most US men view meat as ‘masculine’, despite health concerns

A new survey from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has found that more than half of US men associated a carnivore diet with masculinity, while nearly two-thirds said they would be willing to change their eating habits if foods they considered masculine were shown to harm their health.

• A poll of 1,020 US men found that 53% viewed a carnivore diet as “masculine,” compared with 10% who said the same of a plant-based diet.
• Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would likely change their diet if foods they associated with masculinity were harmful to their health.
• The survey also found that 49% of men considered meat masculine, while 35% associated soy products with femininity.

The findings were released by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine ahead of Men’s Health Month in June and highlighted the extent to which ideas about masculinity continue to influence perceptions of food and dietary choices.

The poll, conducted by Morning Consult between May 12 and 14, 2026, surveyed 1,020 men across the United States. Among respondents, 53% described a carnivore diet, which consists exclusively of animal products, as masculine. By contrast, only 10% said a plant-based diet carried the same association.

The survey also examined perceptions of individual foods. Nearly half of respondents, 49%, considered meat masculine, while 35% associated soy products with femininity. Other foods were generally viewed as gender neutral. Men aged 18 to 34 were the most likely demographic group to link dietary patterns with masculinity.

Despite those perceptions, the poll suggested that health concerns could outweigh cultural associations. Sixty-three percent of respondents said they would likely change their diet if foods they considered masculine were found to be harmful to their health.

Noah Praamsma, a registered dietitian with the Physicians Committee, said: “Meatfluencers and the manosphere are pushing the disease-causing myth that consuming meat and milk is manly. 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.”

The organization pointed to a growing body of research examining the health implications of highly animal-based diets. According to the Physicians Committee, a recent review of multiple studies found that carnivore diets may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies, reduce intake of beneficial phytochemicals, and contribute to the development of heart disease.

Praamsma said: “A diet with no or very few fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans is dangerous. 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.”

The Physicians Committee noted that foods high in saturated fat, including meat and whole milk, can raise levels of LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. Elevated LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death among men in the United States.

The organization also highlighted evidence linking diet to sexual and reproductive health. Research has suggested that avoiding red and processed meat may help reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction, a condition that can sometimes serve as an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.

One meta-analysis of 25 studies found that men with erectile dysfunction faced a 59% higher risk of coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis, a 34% higher risk of stroke, and a 33% higher risk of death from any cause compared with men who did not report symptoms.

Separate research cited by the Physicians Committee found that consumption of processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats was associated with lower sperm counts, raising concerns about fertility.

At the same time, Praamsma emphasized that consumers interested in reducing meat consumption now had access to a wide range of alternatives.

“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,” he said, “whether that’s veggie burgers or plant-based sausage from the grocery store or countless recipes using grains, beans, vegetables, and soy products.”

The survey also explored public understanding of hormones in food. When asked which foods contained estrogens, 24% of respondents identified both dairy products and soy products.

The Physicians Committee reported that dairy products contain estrogens, while soy contains phytoestrogens, naturally occurring plant compounds that differ from animal estrogens. The organization cited studies suggesting soy consumption may lower prostate cancer risk and noted that a review of 38 clinical studies found no effect of soy intake on testosterone or estrogen levels in men.

According to the Physicians Committee, plant-based diets may offer several potential health benefits for men, including reducing the risk of heart disease, supporting reproductive health, lowering the likelihood of erectile dysfunction, and helping protect against prostate cancer.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit organization focused on preventive medicine, clinical research, and promoting higher standards in medical education and research.