What we choose to eat on a day-to-day basis affects our health. This seems simple enough. There is room for imperfection, of course. Our bodies are amazing, sophisticated biological systems that can adapt to various conditions, including the nutrition we input. What we choose to eat as a collective also has implications because the human species is vast, and we all need to eat.

According to OurWorldInData.org, 34% of mammals on Earth are human beings, 62% are livestock (broadly, animals raised to produce products for human consumption), and only 4% are wild animals. This statistic, while shocking, also highlights our role as problem solvers. We have flourished, inventing agriculture as a way of modifying our previously nomadic existence to one of settlement and population growth. The invention of agriculture around 12,000 years ago was a major turning point for the human species. Now, we are responsible for using this knowledge to make sustainable dietary choices.

Now that our population has eclipsed wild species, we are raising more livestock than ever to feed everyone. Additionally, animal foods have traditionally been considered superior, special, luxurious, and associated with prosperity. In modern times, however, many people find animal products easier to obtain. This is partially because populations of people worldwide have experienced economic growth. The downside of this is that more people are suffering from “diseases of affluence,” such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and overweight due in some part to overconsumption of animal products.

Raising livestock and harvesting sea life for food burdens our environment by clearing forests for grazing, increasing greenhouse gas emissions via methane production (cow burps), animal waste management (or lack thereof), raising mono-crops for animal feed, disruption of ocean ecosystems, and routine excessive administration of antibiotics to farmed animals (according to the National Institutes of Health, 80% of antibiotics are sold for use in animal agriculture!!).

It is important to take a close look at what we eat. Our planet is abundant in resources, and we can all flourish with plenty of nutritious food. This abundance should give us hope that we can make sustainable dietary choices, likely by cutting down the percentage that our overall diet is derived from animal agriculture. This doesn’t mean everyone needs to eat an exclusively plant-based diet. It might mean eating plant-based meals each week or cutting down on beef (a major land-use animal).

These are complex issues, but one approach is straightforward: eat more plants and fewer animals. Don’t worry; there are loads of healthy plant-based protein options. Shifting toward plants when you’re accustomed to eating animals does involve a learning curve, so give it a chance and try different things. It feels good to know you’re eating for a healthier you and a healthier planet at the same time!

Have you tried adding plant-based meals to your routine?

*As always, this website and blog information is not medical advice. Please consult your medical professional if you are changing your health behaviors, including starting a new diet or exercise program.