As Thanksgiving approaches, I have accepted that eating meat will be inevitable for this occasion. Nonetheless, during the past few months I was able to reduce my meat intake substantially. With my goal of boycotting industrial animal husbandry still standing, I found an even stronger motivation in trying to embrace a healthier lifestyle.
For me it is hard to continuously compromise for the sake of an issue I have only experienced through my computer screen. But when I know that I am also doing this for myself, remaining a vegetarian becomes much more compelling. So, although it is important to be aware of the maltreatment of these animals, I find that the argument for attaining a higher quality of life is more persuasive.
As humans our bodies are built better for a plant-based diet (for more go the PETA website linked below). This means that we are more efficient in digesting high fiber and nutrient dense food, the two main characteristics of a plant-based diet. My experience confirms this evidence, since I became a vegetarian I feel more energetic throughout the day and don’t experience a “food comma” after each meal, which has led to better concentration overall.
I have now realized that while I was trying to reduce violence towards animals the result that more directly impacted me was a decrease in self-violence (our bodies aren’t made for the diets we give them). It still astonishes me how many of our cultural constructions, just like with war, work against our own well-being. Finally, if you don’t think becoming a vegetarian is worth it to stop an inhumane practice, you should at least consider the health benefits.
Is It Really Natural? The Truth About Humans and Eating Meat
I too found it hard to stay away from meats during thanksgiving as I continued my project into the holiday, but I managed to do so. I find it interesting that you equated eating meat as a violence inflicted upon ourselves. I would agree with that claim as I understand that our bodies were not made to digest meats, rather vegetables. It is difficult though for some to completely give up meat, for example athletes. Although not the best for humans, athletes need some meats to compete at a high level, and while leafy greens are better, I think athletes bodies thrive more when they have meats in their diets. What would your recommend athletes do instead? I find your project interesting and can’t wait to hear what else you discover!
Mateo, I understand what you are saying about finding it hard to fight for an issue which doesn’t seem to affect you much. This is a problem that Earth experiences, and I am guilty of this too. The world’s ability to overcome this tendency of focusing only on problems that are immediate to ourselves would mean immense global change.
To develop your project further, I would recommend that you look into how you can demonstrate these facts and your experience to other Lafayette College students.