How to Be a Compassionate Carnivore

Many people are horrified by the inhumane treatment of modern farm animals, but love meat, eggs, and dairy too much to stop eating them entirely.

Fortunately, it is possible to enjoy meat, eggs, and dairy products without supporting the cruel practices of factory farms.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
    

   Choose organic, free range animal products. USDA standards require livestock raised for products labeled "organic" to have a certain amount of access to the outdoors, and they cannot be fed growth hormones, antibiotics, and other substances fed to conventionally raised animals in order to make them produce more and stay healthy in stressful, overcrowded conditions.
   
   Unfortunately, the USDA regulations have many loopholes, enabling some producers to abuse the rules and the trust of consumers.

2. 
    
   Photo by zenera.

   A better option is meat and dairy labeled "grassfed," or poultry, eggs, and pork labeled "pastured." The grassfed label requires animals to be fed entirely or primarily on grass. Grassfed animals are never confined in feedlots or warehouses.
   
   In addition to being natural and humane for the animals, grassfed and pastured animal products also have many environmental benefits, including little or no pollution from animal wastes and carbon sequestration by well-managed pastures. Not only that, they have been shown to be lower in fat and cholesterol and higher in protein, heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and many vitamins and minerals than conventionally raised animal products. For a list of grassfed producers, as well as more information about the benefits of grassfed meat, eggs, and dairy products, visit the American Grassfed Association or Eat Wild. (Links below.)
   
   "Grassfed" products are not necessarily certified organic, although many are organic in practice.

3. 
    
   Photo by synaethesia.

   When possible, choose meat that has been field-dressed and inspected. This results in the least stress and fear for the animal. (In addition to being cruel, stress can also damage the taste of the meat.)
   
   If this is not possible, look for a producer who uses a local slaughterhouse to ensure that animals have the shortest possible trip to slaughter. Smaller, local slaughterhouses also tend to use more humane slaughter techniques and to be less prone to widespread contamination.

4. 
    
   Photo by Kevin.

   Hunting is another good way to eat animal products that have had a free and natural life. Practice fair chase hunting in order to give animals a quick and humane death, with a minimum of stress.
   
   Game meats have many of the same health benefits as grassfed meats.

Tips & Warnings

• One way to ensure humane treatment of your future meals is to find a local producer though a farmer's market or websites such as Local Harvest. Many farmers are happy to talk about their philosophy of raising livestock, and some will even allow you to visit the farm in order to see for yourself how the animals are treated.

Resources

• Understanding Labels on Meat, Eggs, and Dairy Products
• American Grassfed Association
• Eat Wild
• Local Harvest
• Hunt Fair Chase
• Organic Dairy Ratings

[thedogshrink]

on 4/30/2009 Great article on a topic near and dear to my heart!

[tachic]

on 3/20/2009 Thanks, after reading skinny bitch, it's good to read an article like this!

[MusicAid]

on 1/14/2009 Wild gaming=great alternative to buying factory-raised meats! Thanks for the article.

[GreenMomma]

on 1/8/2009 Great article. So many thinking hunting is cruel and yet they have no problem eating whatever they find in the grocery store without thought to how that meat got there in the first place.