In my own journey, I have realized that animal protein is necessary for my body to feel well mentally and physically. I was vegan for 6 years during my early twenties and I completely respect and understand the choices of those who choose to abstain from eating meat. Not killing animals seems like a straight forward choice that at one point in my life was a no-brainer when it came to how I chose to eat. These days I eat meat with vegetables daily and relate to food with much more complexity and nuance and a deeper understanding of this beautiful but also cruel world we live in.
I think proper education about this topic is important, so people can be empowered to make the best choices for themselves. Choices that are well-informed would be clear on who ultimately benefits from buying things that are marketed as vegan. What are the companies that are selling ultra processed fake alternative meat products promoting and who actually profits?
It makes sense to me to think about taking care of the land in a more sustainable way - promoting biodiversity, replenishing our soil, and supporting farming practices that align us to a healthier balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.
Anyways, I am not an expert on what's best for anyone but myself. I am someone who cares about interconnected collective health.
I resonate with a stewardship worldview- that we have an ethical responsibility as humans to be caring and responsible managers (aka stewards) of the Earth. And I want to learn more about how to approach all this in a way that feels realistic and doable for myself and others who also want something similar for themselves!
This is all to say that I'm noticing the increasing popularity of veganism becoming yet another example of capitalist consumerism, further feeding into the existing unsustainable food systems.
Diana Rodgers is a resource that I hold in high regard in how she brings a more truthful bigger picture of this questionable anti-meat narrative. I highly recommend her documentary Sacred Cow. Unfortunately, most anti-meat journalism is biased; it aims to emotionally manipulate which is unethical (ironically) and is full of inaccurate information.
Diana Rodgers, RD, is also the executive director of the Global Food Justice Alliance- advocating for the right of all people to choose nutrient-dense animal-sourced foods which are critical for nutritious, environmentally sustainable, and equitable food systems that can sustain both human life and the planet.
