As Men’s Health Month gets underway worldwide, a new poll is putting a spotlight on a stubborn cultural script: the idea that “real men eat meat.” According to a nationally representative Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult survey of 1,020 US men, more than half (53%) view a carnivore diet as “masculine”. Only 10% said the same of a plant-based diet.

But here’s the twist: 63% of men say they would change their diet if the foods they associate with masculinity were harming their health. And the evidence suggests that many of those “manly” foods are doing exactly that.

When asked about specific foods, 49% of men labelled meat as “masculine,” while 35% considered soy “feminine”. Younger men (18–34) were the most likely to gender their dietary patterns.

This cultural coding isn’t accidental. As registered dietitian Noah Praamsma notes, “Meatfluencers and the manosphere are pushing the disease-causing myth that consuming meat and milk is manly”.

But the health data tells a very different story.

A leading cause of death

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Foods high in saturated fat—meat and whole milk among them—raise LDL cholesterol, a major driver of heart disease risk.

Research consistently shows that meat consumption increases heart disease mortality.

A recent review of carnivore-diet studies found substantial risks:

• nutrient deficiencies
• reduced intake of protective phytochemicals
• increased likelihood of heart disease

“A diet with no or very few fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans is dangerous,” Praamsma warns, pointing to essential nutrients like fibre, lycopene, and resveratrol—compounds found only in plants—that support men’s long-term health.

Erectile dysfunction

The poll highlights another sensitive but crucial issue: erectile dysfunction (ED).

Avoiding red and processed meats may help protect against ED, which is often an early indicator of cardiovascular disease.

A meta-analysis of 25 studies found that men with ED had:

• 59% higher risk of coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis
• 34% higher risk of stroke
• 33% higher risk of death from any cause compared with men without ED symptoms

In other words, what’s good for the heart is good for sexual health—and vice versa.

Undermining fertility

A “meaty” diet may also undermine fertility. Research shows that eating processed meats—bacon, hot dogs, deli meats—is associated with lower sperm count.

Meanwhile, soy—often maligned as “feminizing”—has been repeatedly shown to have no negative effects on testosterone or estrogen levels in men. A review of 38 clinical studies confirms this.

The poll also revealed confusion around hormones in food: 24% of men believed dairy and soy both contain estrogens.

Here’s the science:

• Dairy does contain estrogens and is associated with increased risk of hormone-related cancers, including prostate cancer.
• Estrogen levels in cow’s milk rise significantly when cows are milked during pregnancy—a common industry practice.
• Soy contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that may reduce prostate cancer risk, especially when consumed as soy milk.

For men concerned about longevity, vitality, and cancer prevention, the evidence leans strongly toward plant-based eating.

Other protein options

The good news? Men who want to move away from meat have more options than ever. Praamsma points to a wide range of satisfying, protein-rich plant-based dishes—from tempeh bacon to sloppy lentil joes, pulled jackfruit barbecue, and veggie meatballs.

And the benefits are substantial. A plant-based diet can help men:

• prevent and reverse heart disease
• reduce ED risk
• improve sperm quality
• protect against prostate cancer

These aren’t fringe claims—they’re backed by decades of clinical and epidemiological research.

This poll reveals a cultural crossroads. Many men still cling to the idea that meat equals masculinity. Yet most are willing to change their diets if their health is at stake.

A new narrative

The challenge—and opportunity—is to rewrite the narrative. Strength isn’t found in a steak. It’s found in longevity, vitality, and the confidence that comes from taking control of one’s health.

So, as Men’s Health Month begins, perhaps the most powerful message is this:
There is nothing more masculine than choosing a lifestyle that keeps you strong, connected, and thriving for the long haul.