One month ago I became a vegetarian. More specifically a lacto-ovo-vegetarian since I have decided to continue to eat eggs and dairy products. I decided to write this post not only for my own journal sake but to also explain why I've gone down this path. I don't think I need to justify this lifestyle to anyone, but I think it is useful information for family and friends who wonder how or why I decided this. If you read this blog you may remember I set a goal at the beginning of this year to only buy meat that was grass-fed, free-range, organic etc. I think pursuing that goal has really opened my eyes and pushed me in this direction. So far it hasn't been a difficult transition as I haven't been eating very much meat anyway. I am not writing this post to change anyone's mind about eating animals! I simply want others to see the perspective I have gained that caused me to make a lifestyle change.
I do believe animals, just like anything created on the earth, was created for our use. However I also believe in only using what you NEED. The definition of need is to "require (something) because it is essential or very important." Is eating animal flesh essential or important to me or to my health? No. Are there times in history and even in other cultures today that need to use animals for food and other resources? Absolutely. I would kill and eat an animal if I needed to. However in the society I live in, it is completely unnecessary as there is an abundance of food available at every grocery store.
In addition to it being an unnecessary food source, I also believe meat to be an inferior source of nutrition compared to plants. Animal meat is thought to be the best source for protein (which is simply chains of amino acids). While meat does contain all 20 of the different amino acids, human genetics do not require us to eat all 20 at one single meal nor does it require an over abundance of this nutrient. Eating a variety of fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes will give the body all the protein (aka amino acids) it needs. It makes sense when you look at other species of mammals, such as the elephant or rhinoceros, who do not require animal protein to sustain cell growth either. Meat is also not digested as easily as plants and in the long run can have severe consequences on the liver and digestive system.
All animals have a purpose on this earth. If you study an ecosystem you can see how each species keeps the other species of plants and animals in balance. The sole purpose of animals on this earth is not to be a food source for humans. Especially if keeping them as a food source means these animals are required to suffer their entire life before sending them to a violent death. Also known as factory farming, this method of raising animals for food has grown into a multibillion dollar industry where the animals have no rights and brutally suffer and die on a very large scale. The secrecy of this industry is proof that they do not want the public to know how these animals are dealt with. That secrecy is also protected by laws so that to even set foot on one of these remote properties without authorization can be prosecuted like an act of terrorism. As a consumer I should have every right to look into any factory and see how a product is being made. It's not just the animals that suffer from this practice but also the quality of meat as a result of poor unnatural diet, routine antibiotics, steroids, and cramped unsanitary living conditions, all of which ends up in the meat for human consumption. Even companies label grass-fed, organic, and free range, have loop holes protected by law. Mass production of animals is also an inefficient use of resources. For example it takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat, compared to growing 1 pound of wheat which only takes 25 gallons. That means a person could save more water by not eating a pound of meat than they could by not showering for 6 months! The amount of water and feed it takes to grow the animals could be used to feed the entire world twice over. The abuse to the animals and to our planet is across the board, and for what? Not because it is the only way to raise animals for food or because it produces the best quality food, but so the large corporations can maximize profits.
After knowing what I know, I simply could not continue to support this industry for the sake of social acceptance. Humans are not the only species who feel love, compassion, pain, pleasure, fear, and happiness. I choose to no longer discriminate between species who I would love and protect (like a family pet) and those who I eat. They are the same to me and both deserve to live a life free from unnecessary suffering and pain.
As you can imagine, this all came as a HUGE shock to my husband who is an avid meat enthusiast. Definitely in his top 3 favorite things to eat (it may even be #1). When I came out to him, I asked him to watch one video about the subject because I thought it would make it easier for him to accept these changes if he could really understand my perspective, even if he didn't want to change or stop eating meat. I had to ask him three different nights and he finally agreed just so I would stop asking him! The video did change his perspective. Not enough to stop eating meat, but enough to fully support me in my decision. For those interested you can watch that same video
HERE.
