Being Cruelty-Free , To Yourself
Vegetarian vs non-vegetarian has always been a much-debated topic for ages. Without delving into the spiritual/religious aspects, let’s look at the reasons why a plant based diet is healthier.
One of the main reasons cited for eating non-vegetarian food is to ensure the body has proper supply of proteins (from meat) and Omega 3 (from Fish). However multiple studies have proven that the proteins that we get from plants and plant products are more bio-available i.e. absorbed easier by the body and less toxic than the protein got from animals. Similarly, Omega 3 is found abundantly in many plant products that most of us unaware of (more on this in future posts).
A few things to consider before you eat meat next time
Nutrients - As meat and other animal products are devoid of any dietary fibre, it takes much longer for those foods to leave our intestines. This is a primary reason for colon and other Gastrointestinal related cancers.
Hormone injections - A chicken grown in a farm doesn’t have a lifespan of more than 45 days. Do I need to mention about the number of hormones and antibiotics it is injected with? This is one of the main reason for many girls reaching puberty even before they turn 10.
Energy efficiency & Sustainability: The higher you move up the food chain, lower the energy obtained from it. More than 10% of energy is lost when you move up one level on the food chain. Facts taught in high school science books ; not put to practical use.
Greenhouse gases and pollution – Livestock/Animal agriculture is the primary factor responsible for climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. A panel of environmental experts from the World Bank found that the industry is responsible for a staggering 51% of total emissions. Read about CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) to get further details.
Adrenalin - Imagine the amount of adrenaline(fight or flight hormone) released into the body of the animal in it’s dying moments. The same stays in the meat and gets absorbed in our blood as well.
Bio magnification/Bio accumulation- is the increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical/pesticide/heavy metals, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain. So it goes this way, the pesticide run offs from farms mixes in the river, from there to the sea/ocean which contaminates the sea water. This water is used up by the phytoplankton -> zoo plankton -> small fish -> medium fish -> big fish and is magnified by several thousand times before it reaches your plate. The next time you eat a fish thinking it is good for your heart, think thrice.
Until a few years ago, the consumption of meat used to be restricted to limited portions and in most families, only on Sundays or special occasions. This was probably because of salaries being lower than what they are today and the need to feed many more mouth. From eating it on a few days, the trend has now shifted to not eating it on few days (Festivals, Saturdays etc). This drastic increase in the consumption of meat/fish is sure to cause great damage.
Being vegetarian or Vegan is not just about being ‘cruelty free’ to the animals, but to yourself and your family. Show yourself some kindness next time by not consuming meat.
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