Diet for a New America

1. Our treatment of animals reflects our humanity

Animals are interesting creatures... with their own unique kinds of intelligence and beauty...

Animal intelligence and emotions. Contrary to popular belief, animals possess remarkable intelligence and emotional depth. Pigs, often maligned, have one of the highest measured IQs among animals, surpassing even dogs. They are friendly, sociable, and capable of forming lasting bonds with humans. Chickens, far from being cowardly, display fierce maternal instincts and problem-solving abilities.

Human-animal connections. Numerous accounts demonstrate animals' capacity for heroism, empathy, and complex emotions:

• Dolphins saving humans from drowning or protecting them from sharks
• A sea turtle carrying a shipwreck victim for two days
• A canary sacrificing its life to save its owner
• Pigs and chickens displaying affection and intelligence when treated with kindness

These stories challenge our preconceptions and invite us to reconsider our relationship with animals, recognizing their inherent worth and dignity.

2. Factory farming: A cruel reality behind our food

From childhood on they are treated like merchandise... with no respect for the fact that they are living beings...

Inhumane conditions. Modern factory farms subject animals to extreme confinement and suffering:

• Chickens: Crammed into tiny cages, unable to spread their wings or engage in natural behaviors
• Pigs: Confined in gestation crates so small they can't turn around
• Dairy cows: Kept perpetually pregnant and separated from their calves
• Veal calves: Isolated in crates and deliberately made anemic for pale meat

Psychological and physical toll. These conditions lead to:

• Extreme stress and abnormal behaviors (e.g., cannibalism, tail-biting)
• Physical deformities and health problems
• Routine mutilations (e.g., debeaking, tail docking) without anesthesia

The scale of this suffering is immense, with billions of animals affected annually. This industrialized cruelty stands in stark contrast to the animals' natural behaviors and needs, raising serious ethical questions about our food production systems.

3. The protein myth: Debunking nutritional misconceptions

It is difficult to obtain a mixed vegetable diet which will produce an appreciable loss of body protein without resorting to high levels of sugar, jams and jellies, and other essentially protein-free foods.

Plant-based protein sufficiency. Contrary to popular belief, it is not difficult to obtain adequate protein from plant sources. In fact, most Americans consume far more protein than necessary. Plant foods like legumes, grains, nuts, and vegetables provide ample protein to meet human needs.

Protein quality and combining. The long-held belief that plant proteins are "incomplete" and must be carefully combined has been debunked. Key points:

• All plant foods contain all essential amino acids
• Eating a variety of plant foods throughout the day ensures optimal protein intake
• Many plant foods (e.g., quinoa, soy) are complete proteins
• The body maintains an amino acid pool, making precise combining unnecessary

Athletic performance. Numerous world-class athletes, including Olympic champions and endurance athletes, thrive on plant-based diets, demonstrating that high-level physical performance is achievable without animal protein.

4. The hidden dangers of animal-based diets

A vegetarian diet can prevent 97 percent of our coronary occlusions.

Chronic disease risk. Extensive research has linked high consumption of animal products to increased risk of:

• Heart disease
• Various cancers (e.g., colon, breast, prostate)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Obesity

Mechanisms of harm:

• Saturated fat and cholesterol in animal products promote atherosclerosis
• Animal protein increases calcium loss, contributing to osteoporosis
• Hormones and growth factors in animal products may promote cancer growth
• Lack of fiber in animal products contributes to digestive issues and colon cancer risk

Benefits of plant-based diets. In contrast, whole food, plant-based diets have been shown to prevent, and in some cases reverse, many chronic diseases. They provide abundant fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients while being naturally low in saturated fat and free of cholesterol.

5. Environmental devastation: The true cost of meat production

At the present rate of deforestation in the United States, it won't be long before we never see a tree, period.

Resource intensity. Animal agriculture is incredibly resource-intensive:

• Land use: 30% of Earth's land surface is used for livestock
• Water consumption: Up to 2,500 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef
• Deforestation: Primary driver of Amazon rainforest destruction

Pollution and climate change. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to:

• Greenhouse gas emissions: 14.5% of global emissions, more than all transportation combined
• Water pollution: Runoff from factory farms contaminates rivers and creates "dead zones" in oceans
• Soil degradation: Overgrazing and monoculture feed crops deplete soil health

Biodiversity loss. The expansion of animal agriculture threatens countless species through habitat destruction and ecosystem disruption. The rapid loss of rainforests, particularly for cattle ranching, is driving many species to extinction.

6. Global hunger: How meat consumption exacerbates food scarcity

Forty thousand children starve to death on this planet every day.

Inefficient resource use. Animal agriculture is an incredibly inefficient way to produce food:

• It takes up to 16 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of beef
• 82% of starving children live in countries where food is fed to animals that are then eaten by Western countries
• If all grain were fed directly to humans instead of animals, we could feed an additional 3.5 billion people

Land misuse. In many developing countries, prime agricultural land is used to grow crops for animal feed or to graze cattle for export, rather than to feed local populations:

• In Ethiopia, 80% of the population is malnourished, yet the country exports feed for European livestock
• Brazil, a major beef exporter, has millions of its own citizens facing food insecurity

Economic factors. The global meat industry often displaces small farmers and traditional food systems, exacerbating poverty and food insecurity in developing nations.

7. A new direction: The transformative power of plant-based diets

A new direction for America's diet-style would be a significant step toward a nonviolent world. It is a way of saying: "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."

Personal health benefits. Adopting a plant-based diet can lead to:

• Reduced risk of chronic diseases
• Increased energy and vitality
• Healthier body weight
• Improved digestion and gut health

Environmental impact. Shifting to plant-based diets could:

• Significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Decrease deforestation and habitat destruction
• Conserve water and reduce water pollution
• Promote biodiversity

Global food security. A global shift towards plant-based diets would:

• Free up land and resources to feed more people directly
• Reduce the environmental degradation that threatens long-term food security
• Potentially eliminate world hunger with current agricultural resources

Ethical considerations. Embracing plant-based diets aligns our actions with our values:

• Reduces animal suffering
• Promotes compassion and non-violence
• Supports a more just and sustainable food system

By making conscious food choices, individuals can contribute to their own health, environmental sustainability, and a more compassionate world.

Last updated: August 21, 2024