Put down your fork, and find out why you should consider leaving animal products off your plate.
1. No animal deserves to be tortured and killed
First and foremost, no animal deserves to be killed for the meal on your plate. Animals raised for agriculture suffer through painful mutilations and abuse, while living in disgusting and unsafe conditions. Not to mention, it has been proven that animals can indeed feel pain and have feelings. For example, cows have been found to mourn the deaths of other cows they've grown attached to, particularly mother's calling for their calfs after they've been taken away. Pigs have also been proven to be smarter than dogs. We would never tolerate our pets being treated like this, so why are we so quick to normalize the treatment that these animals receive? If you want a powerful wakeup call, be sure to watch the documentary Earthlings. Making the switch to veganism can save up to 100 animals lives a year!
2. Prevent and reduce your risk of disease
Eating animal products is one of leading causes of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, to name a few. Cutting your consumption of these products is a simple way to lessen your risk of developing disease. Adopting a whole food plant-based diet has been scientifically proven to prevent (and even reserve!) these common diseases. For more information about the connection between health and the consumption of animal products, read "The China Study".
3. Save water
Animal agriculture is extremely water intensive. One pound of beef = 2500 gallons of water, one gallon of milk = 1000 gallons of water and one lb. of cheese = 900 gallons of water. In contrast, producing one lb. of avocado takes 141 gallons of water and one lb. of tomato takes 26 gallons of water. Another alarming fact is that only 5% of water usage in the United States is from private homes, whereas a whooping 55% is used in animal agriculture.
Spoiler alert: Limiting time spent in the shower isn't doing much.
4. Help solve world hunger
All the grain for livestock grown in the United States could feed 800 million people.
5. Cut down on greenhouse gases
Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. More than some of the most-talked about issues, like transportation and fracking. Switching to a plant-based diet can actually cut your carbon footprint by 50%.
6. Save money
There is a common misconception that eating vegetarian or vegan is expensive, but it is actually quite the contrary. The bulk foods of a plant-based diet are actually among the most affordable foods available, such as rice, beans, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Plus, you've never have to pay extra for guac at Chipotle again.
7. The wide-variety of plant based options
If you do so desire a burger or the taste of chicken, you're in luck. There are so many great plant-based options available. Nearly every restaurant offers a veggie-burger, and there are a wide variety available in grocery stores. If you're craving the taste of your classic burger, Beyond Meat makes an option that is eerily similar to the real thing.
8. Keep excess weight off
An easy way to trim down your waistline is by eliminating animal products. On average, vegans are up to 20 lbs. lighter than meat eaters. In a country where 70% of Americans are overweight or obese, eating less animal products is something worth trying out for seeking a long-term solution.
9. Join the ranks of some of your favorite celebs
Many celebrities have the right idea and have hopped on the vegetarian or vegan train. Big names like Miley Cyrus, Casey Affleck, Alicia Silverstone, Ariana Grande, Ellen DeGeneres and Liam Hemsworth have publicity proclaimed their commitment to veganism, just to name a few.
10. Save the planet
Animal agriculture is destroying our planet. It is the leading cause of climate change, deforestation, wildlife destruction, ocean dead-zones and species extinction. This science cannot be ignored. If we want to continue life on our beautiful Planet Earth, something must change and it starts with what we chose to put on our plates.
(PSA: Watch "Cowspiracy")
