At what price do we eat meat?

ADobs

I am a pescatarian, meaning I only eat fish. I choose not to eat meat not really for moral reasons, but even when I ate meat, I typically only ate chicken. I did read Skinny ***** which kind of turned me off all kinds of meat and I have also seen Food, Inc. as well as just various videos on the PETA website and from that point on, I just decided that I do not *need* meat to function and it is sad how some animals are killed/treated just for their food.

I don’t impose my opinions onto other people as I really don’t care. Everyone has the choice and freedom to eat as they wish
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to eat, that’s what makes us human and all individuals with our own minds an decisions.

CaptainGordo

I'm about to have to be out of here for a while, but I have noticed several references to "God given right" to eat meat, and on that note, I'd like to invite those who feel that way to state the Bible verses to back that up. And I'm not saying they aren't there, because I do think there are verses in the Bible to support that position. I'd just like to see if the folks who are calling it a God-given right can tell us where they are.

"Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things." - Genesis 9:3

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." - 1 Timothy 4:3

jennajava

Those animals live and die in fear and that is transferred over to us in their organs and muscle, which is what we eat.

Yes, I'm really quite well known on MFP for my timidity.

SergeantSunshine_reused

Food Inc isn't even that bad. Try watching Earthlings sometime. I didn't even make it through the trailer.

Oh, and about that local family farm, except for chickens, those animals have to be slaughtered in a slaughterhouse, not on the pretty farm you may be imagining.

Sorry, but the meat I get is slaughtered in the basement of the farmers home.

Yea im not sure where you got the idea that all of it gets slaughtered in a slaughter house

My grandma has a chicken farm. She buys little chicks and raises them. She goes out and feeds them, and talks to them every day. She collects their eggs so that she does not buy from the super market. Then when she has to, she says a prayer for them and thanks them for what they give to her. My grandpa rings their necks then the chickens feed my grandma for a long time. She eats animals, but appreciates them.

mericksmom

I did not read all replies but this is what I think>....


When you eat LOVED plants fruits and veggies, do they taste better. yes
When you go to the Grocery store and eat food that is mass produced by lrg companies where they have to pick and ship before the food has ripen the food doesnt taste as good....
When eating meat if you eat meat that has been LOVED on by the caretakers you can taste the love.
When the animals didnt come from a place of love and were abused then you can taste that or you know that something isnt right in the product, (weather it be taste or texture or due to hormones or other chemicals given to the animal it effects your body as well)

I watched many Documentaries and think sometimes they are taken too far, they will always be the EXTREMES in everything, people themselves are very different and some chose to go either one way or another no matter what subject there is. If you are vegan to any extreme of it good for you if you are a meat eater good for you but to push your way of thinking on other people is wrong unless they personally ask for it.

jennajava

I'm about to have to be out of here for a while, but I have noticed several references to "God given right" to eat meat, and on that note, I'd like to invite those who feel that way to state the Bible verses to back that up. And I'm not saying they aren't there, because I do think there are verses in the Bible to support that position. I'd just like to see if the folks who are calling it a God-given right can tell us where they are.

"Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things." - Genesis 9:3

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." - 1 Timothy 4:3

UsedToBeHusky

The last Netflix show I "watched" was FOOD INC. I challenge all carnivores to watch that show for more than 5 - 10 minutes. I could not.

A very sad tribute to our food industries such as McDonalds and others.

I was headed towards plant based foods anyway, but although I love the taste of meat, I look at my 4 legged buddy Cody and can't help but think that all animals given the opportunity have charm and personality, like he does. I just don't think it is right to eat animals. Not when plants can sustain us. Dr. Fuhrman and his Eat To Live book. That cinches the deal for me.

I absolutely do not agree with this. We are not carnivores-we're omnivores. We are meant to eat both meat and vegetables. Granted there are some really horrible things that go on in the meat industry but that does not mean we all need to stop eating it. It's part of the food chain and it's natural. This is just my personal opinion.

I agree here. If your concern is how the animals are treated on the farm, then why not take a more proactive approach to the problem and fight for stricter regulations. I mean, honestly, you are never going to be able to recruit enough people to be able to boycott the meat industry. But if you took the approach of regulating the way animals are treated, then you might get more support. (I was so afraid this was going to end up sounding like PETA's mission statement. LOL!)

ninerbuff

I have no problem with anyone being vegan/vegetarian, animal rights activist, etc. What I do have a problem with is that some feel that people that eat meat lack morals.
While I don't have the same emotional feelings towards animals that many animal lovers do, that doesn't mean that I'm insensitive to how some animals are treated. Here in CA for example a bill was passed for more humane treatment of farmed livestock for human consumption. I voted YES for it. It costs us more, but it was for the right cause.
Eating meat is cultural for many and asking people to give up an identity is not going to be an easy crossover. MONEY will always be the driving force behind just about any subject regardless of how many feel.
Realistically, I couldn't see myself NOT eating meat. I enjoy a good steak too much, and culturally, my ethnic background has many dishes that include meat.

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russellma

I'm about to have to be out of here for a while, but I have noticed several references to "God given right" to eat meat, and on that note, I'd like to invite those who feel that way to state the Bible verses to back that up. And I'm not saying they aren't there, because I do think there are verses in the Bible to support that position. I'd just like to see if the folks who are calling it a God-given right can tell us where they are.

There's no need to feel like you're about to get slammed! Nobody's telling you that you have to eat meat. It's just a right that you can exercise if you want... kind of like voting.

There are quite a few passages that let us know that eating meat was something that God approved of... Think of the Passover meal which would have been a lamb, which, by the way, Jesus Himself would have grown up eating. Also, there is more than one passage that tells of Jesus eating fish, and in one place even cooking fish. I'm assuming a fish qualifies as an animal?

lublue

We are supposed to eat meat as humans, but I think it makes sense for people to not eat meat these days when the industry is the way it is - or try to eat meat sustainably - ie. not from McDonalds

thpeek

I like meat, I was born with meat eating canine teeth and if the good lord above made it for me to eat then I shall eat it. I prefer eating lean meats and lots of veggies, I limit my starches. I have 3 dogs and it does not bother me a bit to eat meat, we are both omnivores it is not like I am eating my pets so I do not have an ounce of guilt. Eating meat is a natural part of the food chain and it taste sooooo good !!!

RacerX_14

And here's my take.

I am 41, was raised and still live on a cattle, chicken, and large garden farm. We have over 500 head of cattle, 300,000 chickens and a 3 acre garden. This all supports 3 families (my family as well as my dads 2 brothers families).

The cattle live on 2700 acres which equals approximately 5.5 acres per animal at all times. They have 2 ponds and 3 creeks to drink from. The chickens live in 4 houses that are over 250 feet long by 40 feet wide and they are not in cages. They are free to walk, fly, eat, drink, roost, nest 24 hrs a day. The houses are also climate controlled to help with the heat of summer and cold of winter.

We do not give hormones or steroids to the cattle or chickens whatsoever. We do not put pesticides on the fields used for grazing. We use natural fertilizer ( manure from the chicken houses).

I know that there are "factory farms" out there that do not allow the animals any sort of life whatsoever. I totally disagree with that concept. Our animals live life to the fullest that they can. It is possible to farm animals humanely.

My family and I are meat eaters and always will be. That being said, we love our vegetables too. My 4 and 6 year old kids love broccoli! But they also love beef, chicken, pork and venison. Yes we like to hunt as well. People have been doing it since the beginning of time and will continue to do so. Hunting, to some families, puts meat in the freezer to help provide food thru the winter.Ever heard of Hunters for the Hungry? They provide food for many less fortunate families that are very appreciative of the meat they receive, trust me one this.

I totally have nothing against those who don't eat meat, more power to them if they can do so and be healthy. To each their own. Just know that not all farms are like the ones on that show. Our family has been farming for many generations and hopefully will be able to continue to do so.

There is an old saying that comes to mind, " I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables".

Please visit your local Farmer's Market every chance you get!!

OLFATUG

My family owns a turkey farm. I work in the slaughterhouse at their peek season part-time. Meat pays the bills.

debussyschild

Purdue's poultry farms are absolutely disgusting and shameless, not to mention just about every other large scale poultry farm. Cleaning up all the dead chickens? Chickens with bite marks and tears from fighting because they're in such close quarters? Yeah, effing morally decrepit. Anybody here ever watch the Dirty Jobs episode where Mike visits a poultry farm and gets to help the worker toss all the dead chickens into the dumpster??

I've watched Food Inc and I've watched Fork Over Knife as well. I don't believe meat is the root cause of the demise of American health, but rather our tasty food choices from places like McDonalds and Burger King. Fork Over Knife talks about that in great detail, although that movie is spun so hard it's ridiculous. I advocate eating meat, it's a great source of complete protein and when eaten in the right quantities and prepared healthily, there's nothing wrong with it. Do I advocate mistreatment of animals in the harvesting of said meat? Absolutely NOT. Nor do I think pumping them full of antibiotics is doing us as human consumers any health favors. Our FDA turns into a cuddle puddle whenever they have to approach the meat and poultry industry about tightening their regulations... It's sad.

If you want to eat meat, but would rather buy from local farmers in your area who don't feed their animals hormones, antibiotics, or mistreat them, I recommend finding sources from the American Grassfed Association's website <http://www.americangrassfed.org/&gt; If anything, I'd rather support LOCAL farmers who do the same damn thing as the guys across the country. That's another thing I hate about large scale producers like Purdue and Tyson.

American Welfare Approved also is a label that farmers and producers of meat and dairy can apply for. If their farms and their products are approved by the AWA standards, they can put the AWA on their food label for consumers to see. Check out more about that at http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/.

Going all grass-fed is expensive and shouldn't be. I still buy stuff that isn't and it pains me to support those industries who will keep animals in horrible captivity for the duration of their short and miserable lives. The only thing "humane" about their treatment of animals, is the way in which they are slaughtered... Can't say much for chickens, though, they have it the roughest I feel. For the farmers that take care of their animals, THANK YOU. Please keep doing it. You're the farm I want to buy my meat from!!!

Jeff92se

BrettPGH

"Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things." - Genesis 9:3

OH and he hath given us the green herb in bounty!

:smokin:

stcar

plus if everyone stopped eating meat, wouldn't there be a bazillion chickens, pigs and cows be running around? I don't think we would have the room for them all

Improvised

As the OP stated, when plants will sustain us, why kill? And those who consider themselves "carnivores" but have to have their (purchased, not self-killed) meat cooked to perfection? C'mon. REAL carnivores kill their own and eat it raw and bloody. The hypocrisy just gets to me.

So, you don't eat cooked veggies or baked bread?

CaptainGordo

plus if everyone stopped eating meat, wouldn't there be a bazillion chickens, pigs and cows be running around? I don't think we would have the room for them all

I'll give them a good home.

mrsdizzyd84

I've seen Food Inc. I watched all of it. I'm also very much so a meat eater and an animal lover. The way I deal with this is to eat, as often as possible, local meats or kosher/halal meats. It's not easy to get these things, but with a little effort we can.

Human beings are omnivores. This means that we are designed to eat both meat and plants. The fact that an animal has to die in order for me to live is not a problem for me. It is the circle of life. I am no more upset by eating meat than I am by seeing a lion kill and eat his prey. At the end of the day, we human being are animals as well. We live off the land. I'm comfortable with that.

This. All of this.

Although an addition for me: I don't disassociate between animals and the effort to "turn" it into food.

NO disassociation here either. I've participated in a slaughter. I am very comfortable with this. One Christmas we got a pig from a local farmer. The pig was named Willy. We humanely killed Willy, butcher and prepped the meat, and feed the whole family with said meat for a few months. I'm also fully aware that at any moment I could become meat for another animal. Like I said: Its the circle of life.

Jeff92se

I guess vegatarians can't eat the following because they were processed and genetically altered?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uu8ughFyfVg/Ta2W3syrsFI/AAAAAAAABYY/1kew3tuuHo8/s1600/cattlehorn-bbq-pork-rub.jpg

Did You Know Your Food is Genetically Altered?

During the last five years, several multinational chemical and drug companies – including Monsanto and Syngenta (formerly Novartis/Astra-Zeneca/Ciba-Geigy) – have quietly altered our food supply in an alarming way. Genes from bacteria, viruses, foreign plants and animals have been inserted into corn, soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, and papayas. These corporations plan to "genetically engineer" almost 100% of our food within a decade. Already about 40% of the soybeans, 20% of the corn, and a percentage of the potatoes grown in the U.S. and about 50% of the canola (rapeseed) plants in Canada have been genetically altered.

These companies have influenced US and Canadian regulatory agencies to allow these grains to be grown, mixed with non-altered grains, and sold without any labeling, even though they have been shown to be harmful to the environment and have not undergone even a single human health safety test. More than 60% of the packaged food items in US grocery stores contain genetically altered ingredients. We are now all experimental animals in a huge biological experiment involving the food we eat every day.

stef_3

I love aminals... love to eat them:-) PETA: People Eat Tasty Animals

susanswan

So little Cody is becoming a vegetarian too then?

He does prefer meat and cheese, but he get so excited when I pull carrots out of the veggie bin that he jumps up and down. When he hears me chopping on the cutting board he comes and sits nearby waiting for his veggie treats: celery, brussels sprout leaves, beets, pears, apples, oranges, bell peppers, peas, green beans, but he just loves the carrots.

It is an interesting discussion you guys have going. I stopped eating lamb first when after we bottle fed "Larisha" and her sister they ended up in our freezer at home. Cody would love it, but I don't think I can eat too much more of the animal products. My husband is the carnivore, so yes, I, the hypocrite cook and buy meat for him. I think I'll check into buying "better" raised meat for him.

It's a free country, so eat what you like. Someone has already been eating my "80" hotdogs that I am supposed to have eaten for years now. Not to mention the 10 pounds or whatever of sugar, etc that "each American" is supposed to consume annually. I am working towards eating mainly green plants, lots of fresh veggies and it is a difficult switch as in planning ahead. I believe I will be healthier. Numerous studies show animal products causing cancer and autoimmune disease. Call me naive but I prefer to err on the side of caution. You don't have to believe what I believe or agree with my opinion.

Have fun! = D

oneIT

This is just stupid, its society! Blame society or big business for pushing local farmers out. If I could raise my own animals and farm my land I would!!! Its just not possible in todays society so live with it!

love22step

I don't think it's practical for my family to stop eating meat. I have a plan to start producing and butchering my own meat (rabbit and goat) this year. So far, my chickens are only being used for egg production, but that may change. Unless times get really hard, my dogs and donkeys are safe. I believe humans we were designed to eat meat and veggies.

jennajava

"Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things." - Genesis 9:3

OH and he hath given us the green herb in bounty!

:smokin:

Hear hear!

jennajava

I challenge all carnivores to watch that show for more than 5 - 10 minutes.

Lions? Tigers? Bears?

I think most homo sapiens are considered "omnivores."

fteale

I think "meat eaters" get all up in arms about vegetarians because most of the ones we come across are self righteous and judgmental about my choice to eat meat. Vegetarians seem to think that they are making the "better" decision and look down on neanderthals like me who still eat meat. That is what gets me annoyed. I have a family member who is a vegetarian (vegan) and he is so obnoxious and thinks he is so much more enlightened than the rest of us.

I don't care what you want to eat. Just let me eat my food the way I want to...it's called freedom.

Well....yes. We wouldn't have chosen to stop eating meat if we didn't think it the right moral decision.

sunnyday789

When people say they were unhealthy, anaemic, had vit B12 deficiency (seriously? I have NEVER heard of that one anywhere but here, and I know many many vegetarians), it is clear they just weren't doing it very well. If you eat junk, you'll be unhealthy. Doesn't matter if that junk is vegan or not. If you eat healthily, you won't get deficiencies. The fact that most vegans manage perfectly fine and are in fact of above average health pretty much clinches that one.

I'm surprised that you haven't heard this before. If you google it, you'll find many vegan/vegetarian promoting websites that state this. (They advocate Vitamin B supplementation of course rather than eating animal products.)

DrumlineGirl

I've been vegetarian for 7 years. I think if you do eat meat, you should just do your homework and see how it's processed, and if it bothers you but you don't want to give up meat, eat local, organic meats. I personally won't eat animals, but won't judge those that do as our bodies are made to eat them and use those nutrients. SO like I said, it's good to do your research and try to eat meat responsibly.

What I can never understand is why, when people learn I'm vegetarian, they are on the defensive and think I'm judging them. But I never am, and I'm never vocal on my views unless asked. Yet, many people make fun of me and degrade me for choosing not to eat meat. I never got this double standard.