Plant-based eating has infiltrated the mainstream with arguments of giving up meat growing stronger. More and more people are choosing to take meat out of their daily diet. Is it time to finally keep animals off our plates? Well, giving up meat can be a difficult concept for some people to wrap their heads around. Some feel like without meat, they would be left with limited food choices. Despite the growing awareness of how diet can hugely affect our health and the environment around us, there’s still a shocking lack of sufficient information reaching the general public. It’s about time we shed some light on why we should keep meat off out plates for good. Without further ado, let’s get started:

Help Save the Planet

There has been so much talk about sustainability with world organizations coming up with possible solutions for our messed up environment. But what has meat consumption got to do with the environment? Well, a lot! A report by the UN found that eating meat is one of the most significant contributors to the serious environmental problems that we face today.

First off, rearing animals for food is a very inefficient way to use our natural resources. Over half of all the world’s crops are used to feed livestock. On the other hand, a person dies every 3 seconds from starvation, with many suffering from undernourishment, while we continue to waste natural resources to produce animal products. If all crops were fed directly to humans, about 70% more food would be added to the world’s supply.

As the population increases, we need more and more agricultural space, which has led to deforestation. This has, in turn, caused other environmental problems such as soil erosion, desertification, loss of animal habitat, a threat to indigenous species, not to mention, animals are brutally killed when clearing forests.

Lastly, the meat industry pollutes massively, more than all cars and trucks combined. The water and the land used for rearing animals is polluted from animal waste, fertilizers, pesticides, and much more.

With that being said, the most important step you can take as an individual to reduce your carbon footprint, as well as global warming, is to keep meat off your plate.

Health Benefits

Many people are giving up meat purely out of health concerns. Endless studies have already shown that too much meat is bad for your health. A meat-based diet is filled with animal fats that are killing us. On the other hand, a plant-based diet can help lower the chances of type 2 diabetes; heightens your energy levels; lowers your risk of heart disease; helps your body reduce inflammation. It can also lower your blood pressure, improve your sleep quality, and help you lose a few pounds. However, it’s not only your body that benefits. Giving up meat can also help improve your mental health.

Animal Welfare

There are over 7 billion people on the planet and each day billions of animals are slaughtered for human consumption. Can you imagine how many have had to go through this pain in your lifetime? It’s dreadful just thinking about it. The majority of these animals live without dignity. As demand heightens, more and more animals are grown industrially with no basic rights. They are crammed into filthy wire cages where they are bound for slaughter with no clean water or fresh air. Most of them don’t even get to feel the warmth of the sun. The poor living conditions and mistreatment of these animals have been well documented in several popular films. The best way to show compassion and respect towards these kind and gentle creatures is not to eat them, full stop!