One of the most common questions that I get is, "So what made you decide to become a vegetarian?" While this is a great question to help me chat my way through parties, I really do wish people already knew why. Not because I expect people to know details about me, but because I hope that people already knew the health, environmental, and other detrimental impacts of our food system. I get the sense, however, a lot of people don't quite understand the full motivations behind vegetarianism. Many times I wish I had an eloquent response that really helps people gain understanding to this issue, but I usually end up saying something about being healthy and having a love for animals. This is of course true, however, there's so much more to it than that, which I plan to outline in specific points below.
Also, this topic is particularly important to understand in this political climate because it's one of the only ways to help impact actual change. I care about people's health. I care about the environment. I care about big business using money bottom lines to dictate how my food is produced and distributed. And, of course, I care about how animals are treated!! With our current President wanting to cut funding for the environment and health, I can use the consumer power of supply and demand to create real impact.
I also want to note that that this isn't supposed to be a 'You Should' article. Information is power. The more people understand about a topic, the more they can make informed decisions. I don't expect people to already know everything about this topic or to change their whole lifestyle overnight. I understand there are budgets and convenience to consider. I just want to help give people more information. Information that may help themselves, and the world. So without further ado, here's my reasons.
Also, this topic is particularly important to understand in this political climate because it's one of the only ways to help impact actual change. I care about people's health. I care about the environment. I care about big business using money bottom lines to dictate how my food is produced and distributed. And, of course, I care about how animals are treated!! With our current President wanting to cut funding for the environment and health, I can use the consumer power of supply and demand to create real impact.
I also want to note that that this isn't supposed to be a 'You Should' article. Information is power. The more people understand about a topic, the more they can make informed decisions. I don't expect people to already know everything about this topic or to change their whole lifestyle overnight. I understand there are budgets and convenience to consider. I just want to help give people more information. Information that may help themselves, and the world. So without further ado, here's my reasons.
1) Health
A lot of people by now have likely heard that meat is bad for your health, however, let me just reiterate the known correlations of eating meat and health issues. Many evidence based studies show eating meat on a regular basis increases risk for Type 11 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and decreased lifespan. Also a lot of people aren't aware of the reversible characteristics of maintaining a plant-based diet. Not only is a plant-based diet preventative of certain diseases, it has been shown to actually reverse certain diagnosis, such as heart disease and diabetes. Of course there are many other factors that influence health, but with the strong correlations between meat eating and disease, I want to give myself the best chance to live a long healthy life.
National Institutes of Health
One Green Planet
Huffington Post
Or watch 'Forks over Knives' on Netflix
National Institutes of Health
One Green Planet
Huffington Post
Or watch 'Forks over Knives' on Netflix
2) Water Consumption
Water consumption is something I believe is going to have to be regulated within my lifetime. Plain and simple, meat and dairy products use loads more water than other foods. Water is something we can't live without and one way or another, we will have to watch how much water we use. One of the best ways to save water is to know how much water it takes to produce the food we consume, and yes, meat and dairy production appears to be the biggest offender.
One Green Planet
Water consumption is something I believe is going to have to be regulated within my lifetime. Plain and simple, meat and dairy products use loads more water than other foods. Water is something we can't live without and one way or another, we will have to watch how much water we use. One of the best ways to save water is to know how much water it takes to produce the food we consume, and yes, meat and dairy production appears to be the biggest offender.
One Green Planet
3) The Environment
This is the answer I wish I could expound upon more in person. Switching to a plant-based diet is hands-down the best way to address issues with climate change. There is a lot of research about this that demonstrates the correlation between the meat industry and pollution, high energy consumption, destruction of forests, and production of methane gases. Consuming less meat means consuming less water, energy, and resources in general. Consuming less meat actually has more impact than trying to combat transportation and home energy changes. Many people don't actually know about this though because a lot of our politicians and researchers eat meat and are connected to agribusiness and are less inclined to site these facts due to monetary connections.
Scientific American
Time
Scientific American
Time
4) Taking Back our Food System
As I mentioned above, people connected to agribusiness are less inclined to mention that meat is bad, in any form. That's because, like any capitalist run industry, the meat industry is a business with money as a bottom line. The people who run that business don't want people to know how bad it for you and for the environment. Just like other businesses, agribusiness want more production with fewer costs. This, of course, results in poorer quality food and awful working conditions. People who work in the meat packing industry often work in unsafe conditions, get paid minimally, and are expected to work long hours in harsh conditions. Because of these conditions, many workers are often immigrants that we take advantage of. If we wanted all Americans to have these jobs, I guarantee you the price of meat would increase due to the the increase in pay and standards they would have to implement.
As I mentioned above, people connected to agribusiness are less inclined to mention that meat is bad, in any form. That's because, like any capitalist run industry, the meat industry is a business with money as a bottom line. The people who run that business don't want people to know how bad it for you and for the environment. Just like other businesses, agribusiness want more production with fewer costs. This, of course, results in poorer quality food and awful working conditions. People who work in the meat packing industry often work in unsafe conditions, get paid minimally, and are expected to work long hours in harsh conditions. Because of these conditions, many workers are often immigrants that we take advantage of. If we wanted all Americans to have these jobs, I guarantee you the price of meat would increase due to the the increase in pay and standards they would have to implement.
5) Animals of Course!
Listen, I know everyone's heard PETA make people feel bad for animal cruelty. But really, the logic of being best friends with some animals then slitting the throats and torturing others, is just off. Pigs are just like dogs, just without the fur, if you give them the chance. Goats are playful and cuddle. There's even some research showing that cows respond to music and it can help them produce more milk! Even if you don't feel like being a vegetarian is for you, you can at least promote humane ways of raising animals and killing them. Just like your dog and cat has feelings, other animals have awareness and feelings too.
National Geographic
NPR
There'a a lot of information out there and keep in mind people have a lot of agendas, but please try to educate yourself about this issue and know your sources of information. I tried to include links of credible sources that have real studies cited in them for anyone to look and explore the information for themselves.
Lastly, I hope no one will continue to say "If I knew about how food was made, it would ruin my meal, so therefore I don't want to know about it." Seriously....that's the point. At some point, people need to know what they are putting into their bodies and how that's impacting the world. Food is not supposed to be consumed and produced like this, and I guarantee if people knew what was happening, it wouldn't be happening. Watch documentaries. Read books. Just be aware. Because whether you like it or not, this affects everyone.
Listen, I know everyone's heard PETA make people feel bad for animal cruelty. But really, the logic of being best friends with some animals then slitting the throats and torturing others, is just off. Pigs are just like dogs, just without the fur, if you give them the chance. Goats are playful and cuddle. There's even some research showing that cows respond to music and it can help them produce more milk! Even if you don't feel like being a vegetarian is for you, you can at least promote humane ways of raising animals and killing them. Just like your dog and cat has feelings, other animals have awareness and feelings too.
National Geographic
NPR
There'a a lot of information out there and keep in mind people have a lot of agendas, but please try to educate yourself about this issue and know your sources of information. I tried to include links of credible sources that have real studies cited in them for anyone to look and explore the information for themselves.
Lastly, I hope no one will continue to say "If I knew about how food was made, it would ruin my meal, so therefore I don't want to know about it." Seriously....that's the point. At some point, people need to know what they are putting into their bodies and how that's impacting the world. Food is not supposed to be consumed and produced like this, and I guarantee if people knew what was happening, it wouldn't be happening. Watch documentaries. Read books. Just be aware. Because whether you like it or not, this affects everyone.
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