So, you like meat. No, you LOVE meat. It is delicious and the basis of the American diet. And I'm sure there is very little I can say to change your mind. I know because I was there, I love a good steak or a lovely roast chicken. But, I also care about the welfare of animals and the negative consequences of CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations). So, as a farmer my solution was to raise our own chickens for meat and eggs and goats for dairy. I knew my animals were clean, healthy, and happy. Also, this was green, right? I mean it looked all pastoral and green, how could a small farming operation have any kind of carbon footprint and how was this not the healthiest way possible to get that vital component PROTEIN. Well, as I'm inclined to constantly gather new information and evolve new ideas and opinions and I changed my mind.
Eating meat just a couple generations ago was a sign of prosperity, gone were the days of meat rationing, we wanted bacon for breakfast, ham sandwiches for lunch, and a beef roasts for dinner, oh and don't forget your milk. Unfortunately a ripple of undesirable consequences began to cascade from this "Greatest Generation" diet or as its now known around the world the "SAD" diet or Standard American Diet. But, I'm sure we can all agree that today its sign of prosperity to be fit, educated, and disease free. According to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), "[SACN] reviewed the evidence on the links between red and processed meat and bowel cancer. It concludes that red and processed meat probably increases the risk of bowel cancer" (United Kingdom Department of Health). And according to The World Health Organization "Households should select predominantly plant-based diets rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits, pulses or legumes, and minimally processed starchy staple foods. The evidence that such diets will prevent or delay a significant proportion of non-communicable chronic diseases is consistent. A predominantly plant-based diet has a low energy density, which may protect against obesity."
Okay, but what about all of the nutrients that are derived from eating meat and dairy. What about protein, calcium, B12, and iron? This is where it gets interesting. It's true that for the last three generations the USDA have told us that we need these nutrients and that they only come from drinking your milk and eating a nice American sized portion of your favorite meat, but the USDA's job isn't to give health and nutrition advice. "We provide leadership on food, agriculture, and natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management." (USDA Mission Statement usda.gov) The USDA is in existence to aid the agricultural market not make nutritional policy, however the public and doctors use the USDAs recommendations on health choices. According to a World Health Organization study analyzing the dietary needs for protein and amino acid intake the findings are interesting, "there has been no systematic study of body composition of adults in relation to variation of protein intakes within the normal range in well-fed societies. However, attempts to increase muscle mass by increases in protein intake within the normal range have generally failed....during intensive weight training in a randomized double-blind cross-over study, and found no difference in measured strength (voluntary and electrically evoked) and muscle mass..." (WHO Technical Report Series #935). The study goes on to describe how the body recycles amino acids, proteins effect on nitrogen balance, and protein intake. According to the study the minimal amount of protein needed is 4% of calories consumed. It is ridiculously easy to reach and exceed this number given that one slice of artisanal bread is roughly 4 g of protein. "Thus, protein-deficient diets are almost certain to be generally nutrient-poor diets, deficient to varying degrees in a range of other nutrients..."(WHO Technical Report Series #935). Now protein isn't all good, like all things in excess it can be a detriment. In a FAO report findings saw an increase in calcium found in urine when there was an increase in animal protein, "A meta-analysis of 16 studies in 154 adult humans on protein intakes up to 200 g found that 1.2 mg of calcium was lost in the urine for every 1 g rise in dietary protein." (FAO/WHO Human Vitamin and Mineral Requirements 2002). In the same report B12 is described as "Most microorganisms, including bacteria and algae, synthesize vitamin B12, and they constitute the only source of the vitamin." It is true that most people get their B12 through meat, but how did the meat get the B12? Animals consume B12 from the microorganisms in their environment whether it's found on their grass or on their feed. Our grocery store produce, for obvious reasons, is super washed in chlorine solutions to kill pathogens. Unfortunately, this hyper-hygiene also kills the microorganisms that help us synthesize nutrients such as B12. So, take a supplement and that goes for everyone as B12 deficiency doesn't just happen to vegans. And as with most nutrients iron is easily absorbed through consuming plant foods, but check with your doctor on supplementation as too much iron is toxic.
So, now I know I don't need meat, dairy, or eggs and it's not that good for me any way. With that in mind it seems that in order to produce our own food it looks like we never needed to have those animals after all. And that is such a good thing. I mean you have no idea how hard it is to keep everything housed, fed, safe, healthy, etc. The expense is astronomical and don't expect to break even if you hope to sell excess, we were constantly at a loss. Right now it appears that a plant based diet is healthier and cheeper than that old "SAD" diet however sustainable you think it is. Plus, by growing it ourselves we are not "super washing" everything so we may be getting that natural B12 after all. And don't forget that Vitamin D you get from going out in the sun, and the exercise, and fresh air. And to all those who would accuse me of being preachy, what kind of ass would I be if I knew of a healthier way to live and kept it to myself. I want all of my friends and the whole world to be healthier, happier, richer, and live on a better planet. What if it was as simple as changing what we eat.
As a part 1 we've talked about how our nutritional needs can be easily met through a plant based diet and how reducing your consumption of red meat you can possibly prevent cancers, heart disease and other health issues. We're going to go on to discuss the meat industry's effect on the planet, the economy, world hunger, and the animals themselves.
SOME FAMOUS VEGANS
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