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Overtime reports have gone back-and-forth about the health benefits of consuming meat on a regular basis. There are tons of eating styles from “Atkins” (meat based diet) to pescatarian, vegetarian and even vegan. Some are saying that having a flexible diet where you eat predominantly plant-based and occasionally have meat is healthy as well.

Meat is the center of most diets and is known as a major protein source. In recent years red meat and processed meat in particular have been found to be associated with type two diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and even cancer. According to Mayo Clinic, “people who don’t eat meat — vegetarians — generally eat fewer calories and less fat, weigh less, and have a lower risk of heart disease than nonvegetarians do. Even reducing meat intake has a protective effect.” Fun fact, broccoli has more grams of protein per ounce than that of beef. 

Sustainability and environmentally friendly practices have been on the rise. Livestock raising has a vast impact on the environment. Acid rain, coral reef disintegration and deforestation are all caused by the livestock industry.  It takes an astonishing 1,799 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of ground beef! According to The Conversation US, livestock is responsible for 18% of human produced greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Cutting your meat consumption by any amount would have a positive impact on the environment overall. 

Livestock is making us sick. According to The Conversation US, 80% of all antibiotic usage is for livestock. Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern.  Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria changes and becomes stronger causing the drugs we use to no longer be effective at curing the illness. Between the FDA and CDC this is a top world wide health issue. The rise in deaths will continue to rise as bacteria get stronger. Why put your family and yourself at risk? Eat plant based! 

Meat eating is unethical. All living things deserve to live without suffering, being ripped from their families and being tortured. Not only does meat eating harm animals but it also harms humans and the earth overall.