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Why do I keep hearing that vegetarianism/veganism is better for the environment. Can someone give some examples? Thanks!
Answer
It's probably repetitive, but I'll add it here anyway.
"Not everyone realizes the impact that raising animals for food has on the environment. In the United States, more than one third of all fossil fuel and raw material consumption is used to raise livestock.
- It can take up to 15 times as much water to produce animal protein as it does to produce protein from plants. According to author John Robbins in his book The Food Revolution, you could save more water by not eating a pound of California beef than you could by not showering for an entire year.
- Animal agriculture contributes significantly to global warming by producing more than 100 million tons of methane annually. A single pound of methane has the same greenhouse effect as approximately 50 pounds of carbon dioxide.
- Livestock operations generate roughly 130 times as much bodily waste as the entire human population of the United States, which makes its way into the environment without going through the sewage treatment systems found in our cities and towns. This untreated waste pollutes American waterways more than all other industrial sources combined.
- It takes up to 10 pounds of grain to produce just one pound of meat. In the US, we feed more than 70 percent of the grains and cereals we grow to farmed animals, only a fraction of which is actually converted into the meat that people eat. The world's cattle alone consume a quantity of food equal to the caloric needs of 8.7 billion people - more than the entire human population on Earth.
- More than 260 million acres of US forests have been cleared to grow grain for livestock. In the Amazon, more than 2.9 million acres of rainforest were destroyed in the 2004-2005 growing season to raise crops that were used to feed animals in factory farms. Up to 220 square feet of rainforest are sacrificed to produce just one pound of hamburger.
- Due to the amount of land required to raise animals for food and the destructive effect livestock has on the land, animal farming is the leading threat to endangered species and the number one cause of species extinction in the US and around the world.
- According to the Worldwatch Institute, the meat industry is directly responsible for 85 percent of all soil erosion in the US.
So whether you decide to go vegetarian or simply cut down on the amount of animal products you consume, eating more plant-based foods is a powerful action you can take to help protect the environment. Finding delicious and healthy meatless alternatives has never been easier with the variety of options that are now available in supermarkets, health food stores and restaurants.
In addition to saving vital chunks of rainforest, consuming less raw materials, saving water and generating less pollution, eating less meat can also provide significant benefits to you and your family. Leading health organizations agree that a balanced plant-based diet can support a lifetime of good health and can help protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease. So the next time you go food shopping, think about the planet and buy green! Trying to buy as local as possible also helps.
âWe say that however close you can be to a vegan diet and further from the mean American diet, the better you are for the planet. It doesnât have to be all the way to the extreme end of vegan. If you simply cut down from two burgers a week to one, youâve already made a substantial difference.â
- Eshel, an Assistant Professor in Geophysical Sciences"
It's probably repetitive, but I'll add it here anyway.
"Not everyone realizes the impact that raising animals for food has on the environment. In the United States, more than one third of all fossil fuel and raw material consumption is used to raise livestock.
- It can take up to 15 times as much water to produce animal protein as it does to produce protein from plants. According to author John Robbins in his book The Food Revolution, you could save more water by not eating a pound of California beef than you could by not showering for an entire year.
- Animal agriculture contributes significantly to global warming by producing more than 100 million tons of methane annually. A single pound of methane has the same greenhouse effect as approximately 50 pounds of carbon dioxide.
- Livestock operations generate roughly 130 times as much bodily waste as the entire human population of the United States, which makes its way into the environment without going through the sewage treatment systems found in our cities and towns. This untreated waste pollutes American waterways more than all other industrial sources combined.
- It takes up to 10 pounds of grain to produce just one pound of meat. In the US, we feed more than 70 percent of the grains and cereals we grow to farmed animals, only a fraction of which is actually converted into the meat that people eat. The world's cattle alone consume a quantity of food equal to the caloric needs of 8.7 billion people - more than the entire human population on Earth.
- More than 260 million acres of US forests have been cleared to grow grain for livestock. In the Amazon, more than 2.9 million acres of rainforest were destroyed in the 2004-2005 growing season to raise crops that were used to feed animals in factory farms. Up to 220 square feet of rainforest are sacrificed to produce just one pound of hamburger.
- Due to the amount of land required to raise animals for food and the destructive effect livestock has on the land, animal farming is the leading threat to endangered species and the number one cause of species extinction in the US and around the world.
- According to the Worldwatch Institute, the meat industry is directly responsible for 85 percent of all soil erosion in the US.
So whether you decide to go vegetarian or simply cut down on the amount of animal products you consume, eating more plant-based foods is a powerful action you can take to help protect the environment. Finding delicious and healthy meatless alternatives has never been easier with the variety of options that are now available in supermarkets, health food stores and restaurants.
In addition to saving vital chunks of rainforest, consuming less raw materials, saving water and generating less pollution, eating less meat can also provide significant benefits to you and your family. Leading health organizations agree that a balanced plant-based diet can support a lifetime of good health and can help protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease. So the next time you go food shopping, think about the planet and buy green! Trying to buy as local as possible also helps.
âWe say that however close you can be to a vegan diet and further from the mean American diet, the better you are for the planet. It doesnât have to be all the way to the extreme end of vegan. If you simply cut down from two burgers a week to one, youâve already made a substantial difference.â
- Eshel, an Assistant Professor in Geophysical Sciences"
Is vegetarianism really the healthiest way to live?
Waldo
I've recently asked a few questions in the vegetarian section. Many vegetarians/vegans often rant about how much healthier they are.How true is this?
Please only answer If you have a knowledge of diet and nutrition. Don't say vegetarianism is best simply because you happen to be a vegetarian. I'm looking for intelligent answers, backed up by facts.
Answer
Not necessarily. Vegetarian/vegan just means you do not consume animal products. You may still consume unhealthy processed and junk foods. The healthiest way is to eat clean. That may or may not involve eating meat and animal products. It means you cut out sweet, fried, processed, junk, and fast foods. The foods you eat are close to their natural state. However, that does not always mean raw (like the caveman/Paleo diet), just limited to simple cooking instead of commercial processing. Clean eating is rich in fresh fruits, veggies, and lean protein with moderate amounts of whole grains.
Portion size is also important. It is best to have 3 smaller meals and 2-3 healthy snacks (that combine lean protein and healthy carb) such as cut fruit or veggies with peanut butter, hummus, a boiled egg, thin slice of natural cheese, or small handful of nuts. This keeps you from getting as hungry because you don't go as long between eating and keeps your blood sugar more steady.
A good book to learn more about clean eating is The Eat Clean Diet Recharged by Tosca Reno. It's easy to read and understand, full of good information, tips, and even recipes. The only thing I disagree about with her is protein supplements. She is in favor of them, but I'm not. As long as you're eating enough naturally you shouldn't need to supplement.
Not necessarily. Vegetarian/vegan just means you do not consume animal products. You may still consume unhealthy processed and junk foods. The healthiest way is to eat clean. That may or may not involve eating meat and animal products. It means you cut out sweet, fried, processed, junk, and fast foods. The foods you eat are close to their natural state. However, that does not always mean raw (like the caveman/Paleo diet), just limited to simple cooking instead of commercial processing. Clean eating is rich in fresh fruits, veggies, and lean protein with moderate amounts of whole grains.
Portion size is also important. It is best to have 3 smaller meals and 2-3 healthy snacks (that combine lean protein and healthy carb) such as cut fruit or veggies with peanut butter, hummus, a boiled egg, thin slice of natural cheese, or small handful of nuts. This keeps you from getting as hungry because you don't go as long between eating and keeps your blood sugar more steady.
A good book to learn more about clean eating is The Eat Clean Diet Recharged by Tosca Reno. It's easy to read and understand, full of good information, tips, and even recipes. The only thing I disagree about with her is protein supplements. She is in favor of them, but I'm not. As long as you're eating enough naturally you shouldn't need to supplement.
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