By Julie Tomascik

What if we lived in a world without steaks, pork loin and chicken? Tender roasts, smoked ham and turkey legs?

I’d be disappointed and hungry. That’s for sure.

But kids may not know these good-for-you, tasty proteins if a dietary advisory committee has their way.

Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Right now, they’re working on the 2015 edition.

And they might drop meat from their recommendations.

Wait. What?

That would contradict the goal of encouraging Americans to eat a nutritious, balanced diet. One that focuses on foods and beverages that help achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Why should the committee make those recommendations when there’s lean beef, certified healthy cuts and grassfed beef?

Not to mention portion control.

The impact of these recommendations would be significant. To agriculture and America’s waistline.

A healthy food would go to waste. And productive family farms and ranches would be out of business.

So, if the committee wants to limit our consumption of animal protein, what will it be replaced with? Protein is a muscle-building food full of essential minerals. With meat off the plate, will they look to bread and sweets to fill their tummies? With that, we’d be looking at an obese population. Fast.

Less is more? In this case, no.