A recent video of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. consuming steak and whole milk while exercising shirtless with musician Kid Rock sparked online commentary, highlighting a perceived connection between public figures and the “manosphere,” a segment of the internet often associated with fitness content and misogynistic viewpoints. This association draws attention to what public figures choose to eat, particularly in relation to masculinity.
Research indicates that men globally tend to consume more meat than women and exhibit greater defensiveness when encouraged to reduce meat intake for health, ethical, or environmental reasons. This phenomenon is also reflected in popular culture, with characters like Ron Swanson from "Parks and Recreation" and Homer Simpson embodying a trope of men favoring meat over plant-based options. Psychologist Sophie Attwood notes that while women may respond to suggestions of dietary change by reducing consumption, men often become defensive and may even increase their intake.
Psychologist Daniel Rosenfeld suggests that the link between meat and masculinity may stem from historical and evolutionary narratives. The image of early humans as hunter-gatherers, with men in the presumed