Steve Kroll
Wine Guy
You sound a little like me, though I'm not sure I would call my own reasons "political". Without going into too many of the gory details, let's just I just don't like some of the industrial agriculture practices used to produce meat for the masses. I don't think it's healthy for the animals or the people eating them.I don't know what you would call this...political reasons maybe? The more I learn about slaughterhouse practices and other treatment of animals (i.e. lab testing, etc) the more I feel bad about eating meat.
I've never given up on meat, though I have cut down on it significantly and started buying it from what I consider to be better sources. Rather than get meat at the supermarket, I now buy it direct from the farm. And when I can't get that, I buy it at a co-op that sells locally raised meat from smaller farmers. If it's beef or lamb, I only buy 100% grass fed. Yes, it is more expensive, but I also feel it's more humanely raised and healthier. And because it's more expensive I don't eat as much of it.
Whereas my wife and I used to each down a 12 ounce steak in a single sitting, we now take an 8 ounce steak, cut it in half and eat 4 ounces each - all surrounded with lots of veggies. That, and a couple of eggs or some yogurt in the morning is all the animal based protein we eat in a single day.
Two days a week we eliminate the animal protein altogether and have a veggie protein day. Usually it's some sort of bean or tofu dish.
We've also upped our veggie intake overall.
Everyone has to do what they feel is right for themselves, but my suggestion is that if you like meat, eat it. Otherwise you'll always feel like you are missing something. But maybe just strive to make better choices, and replace some of that meat with fruits and vegetables.
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