CHANGE YOUR DIET- CHANGE THE WORLD

This month, instead of highlighting a restaurant, I would like to call attention to the annual “Meat Out,” hoping that some non-vegans will read this column.  Across all 50 states and two dozen countries, caring people will be hosting “Meat Out” events aimed at teaching people why a vegan diet is so important to their health and the health of our planet.

There are a wealth of research studies that link the standard American diet (meat, fish and dairy) to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund recommended that processed meats (ham, bacon, hot dogs, sausages, etc.) be avoided due to the evidence linking those meats to colorectal cancer. Many individuals give up meat for health reasons.

Other compelling reasons to stop eating meat are to halt global warming, reduce damage to the environment, and end world hunger. The 2006 United Nations report titled “Livestock’s Long Shadow” stated:

“Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems.  Urgent action is required to remedy the situation.”

Animal agriculture causes more greenhouse gas emissions than trucks, cars and all other forms of transportation combined. Adopting a vegan diet prevents more global warming than driving a Prius.

More than 260 million acres of U.S. forest have been cleared to grow grain to feed livestock. The Amazon is being destroyed to grow grain for animals and to create grazing lands for cattle. We currently have sufficient crop land and crops to feed more than the current world population, yet the bulk of the food grown is funneled to animals as an inefficient, indirect way to provide protein to humans.This adds to world hunger. 

Water resources will continue to be strained around the world. Fifty percent of water consumed in the U.S. goes towards animal agriculture. Producing meat protein requires about 26 times more water than producing vegetable protein. And then there is the incredible amount of fecal waste produced each year by animal agriculture—a staggering 1.4 billion tons in the U.S. Much of this is untreated and pollutes our land and rivers and becomes toxic to fish, wildlife and humans.

If you think switching from meat to fish will solve the problem, do your research.  World fisheries are expected to collapse—perhaps as soon as 2025—from overfishing, pollution and global warming. Fish farms are an environmental hazard because of the antibiotics needed to prevent disease in crowded conditions, fecal waste, and the fact they require fish to eat. Again, this is a very indirect and inefficient way to provide protein to humans.

Many people think they cannot change their diet, that it will be too difficult. If that is the case, start with one day a week. Pick Monday, call it “meatless Monday” and only consume plant products, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Also, drink water or non-dairy beverages, such as almond, rice or soy milk.

Every time you go to a grocery store, restaurant, or eat a meal at home, choose wisely and your action can bring immediate, positive consequences to healing yourself and our planet. You can make a difference. Change the world one forkful at a time. For tips on going vegan, visit chooseveg.com, TryVeg.com or meatout.org.