[towergratis]

I guess "Meat can make a rare appearance" and "very regular" are subjective.

I grew up in a metro area, and can say that my family, relatives, and friends, have had some kind of meat (mainly chicken, beef and pork) at least 3-4 times a week for main course. And curated meat in sandwich snacks again another 3-4 times. I don't think there were many times I have gone more than 1 day without any kind of meat.

And of course as you mentioned every holiday/celebration must have some kind of meat, mostly goat.

And that's before you grow up and start eating out.

That's what I meant "very regular". Maybe by western standards it still isn't too much.

[cheese_goddess]

I recognise the pattern you describe, but for example that was how my two (first) cousins ate when we were young. One cousin in particular, I swear he only ever ate either steak or burger and fries. It was a family joke that his mom would try to sneak some greens to his burger (just parsley) and he would gingerly pick it out and leave it on the side of the plate.

On the other hand, that's not at all how my side of the family ate and it's not because anyone there is remotely vegetarian. I think my cousin was more influenced by his dad's way of eating and his dad was from a different part of the country than mine, where they have more animals and fewer vegetables.

That said, we did eat lots of cured meats at home. So much so that I'm laying off them now I'm a bit older, just in case.

Still I think it's like you say, the relative consumption is on the low side by western standards.