Labor Day is this weekend and it’s the
official end of the summer season, the time of year we enjoy the last of the
longer days, the warm weather, and grilling up our favorite foods outdoors. But
before you rush off to buy those burgers and hot dogs, read these nine facts
about grilling meat.
official end of the summer season, the time of year we enjoy the last of the
longer days, the warm weather, and grilling up our favorite foods outdoors. But
before you rush off to buy those burgers and hot dogs, read these nine facts
about grilling meat.
1. Meat
Can Make You Sick
Can Make You Sick
While you can be stricken with foodborne
illness any time of year, your risk peaks in the summertime. The USDA reports
that hot weather and grilling are the culprits. Meats prepared on grills at
barbecues can easily be undercooked. Summer heat also creates a perfect
environment for bacteria to thrive. Nothing can ruin summer fun like days of
vomiting and diarrhea.
illness any time of year, your risk peaks in the summertime. The USDA reports
that hot weather and grilling are the culprits. Meats prepared on grills at
barbecues can easily be undercooked. Summer heat also creates a perfect
environment for bacteria to thrive. Nothing can ruin summer fun like days of
vomiting and diarrhea.
2. It
Raises Disease Risk
Raises Disease Risk
Countless studies have linked meat consumption
to increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, various cancers, and
more. In fact, the World Health Organization has placed processed
meats in the same carcinogenic category as asbestos and smoking
cigarettes. And to make matters worse, grilling meat in particular has been linked to an
increased risk of cancer. Bottom line: Meat isn’t good for you.
to increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, various cancers, and
more. In fact, the World Health Organization has placed processed
meats in the same carcinogenic category as asbestos and smoking
cigarettes. And to make matters worse, grilling meat in particular has been linked to an
increased risk of cancer. Bottom line: Meat isn’t good for you.
3. It’s
Killing Our Planet
Killing Our Planet
Love to enjoy nature during the warmer months?
Well, by consuming meat you’re actually destroying the great outdoors. Yes, you
read that right. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization,
carbon dioxide emissions from raising farmed animals make up about 15 percent
of global human-induced emissions, with beef and milk production as the leading
sources.
Well, by consuming meat you’re actually destroying the great outdoors. Yes, you
read that right. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization,
carbon dioxide emissions from raising farmed animals make up about 15 percent
of global human-induced emissions, with beef and milk production as the leading
sources.
What’s more, simply by avoiding animal
products, you cut your carbon footprint in half. Keep in
mind that a pound of beef requires 13 percent more fossil fuel and 15 times more water to
produce than a pound of soy. Protect the planet—don’t eat meat.
products, you cut your carbon footprint in half. Keep in
mind that a pound of beef requires 13 percent more fossil fuel and 15 times more water to
produce than a pound of soy. Protect the planet—don’t eat meat.
4. Hot
Dogs Are Nasty
Dogs Are Nasty
Hot dogs are mainly made of animal
“trimmings. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
states that trimmings consist of “lower-grade meat or animal parts, such as
fatty tissue, blood, liver, skin, head meat, feet, and “other edible slaughter
by-products. Still not grossed out? Just read this.
“trimmings. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
states that trimmings consist of “lower-grade meat or animal parts, such as
fatty tissue, blood, liver, skin, head meat, feet, and “other edible slaughter
by-products. Still not grossed out? Just read this.
5.
Burgers Aren’t Any Better
Burgers Aren’t Any Better
The Washington
Post reports: “Meat patties aren’t just made from the muscle
tissue of a single animal, but from the fibers of as many as a hundred cows, or
even more. We mix different kinds of cow tissue like one combines colors on a
palette, potentially putting animals that once grazed next to each other into
tightly packed beef discs. Yes, this means that one burger could contain meat
from dozens of different cows!
Post reports: “Meat patties aren’t just made from the muscle
tissue of a single animal, but from the fibers of as many as a hundred cows, or
even more. We mix different kinds of cow tissue like one combines colors on a
palette, potentially putting animals that once grazed next to each other into
tightly packed beef discs. Yes, this means that one burger could contain meat
from dozens of different cows!
6. No
Federal Laws Protect Farmed Animals for Most of Their Lives
Federal Laws Protect Farmed Animals for Most of Their Lives
Sadly, not
a single federal law protects animals during their lives at factory farms.
The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act pertains only to the slaughterhouse. What’s
more, the HMSA doesn’t include birds, leaving them with virtually no protection from abuse.
a single federal law protects animals during their lives at factory farms.
The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act pertains only to the slaughterhouse. What’s
more, the HMSA doesn’t include birds, leaving them with virtually no protection from abuse.
7. Meat
Comes From Suffering Animals
Comes From Suffering Animals
Arguably the most repulsive thing about
grilling meat is the incredible animal cruelty in every bite.
Extreme confinement; mutilations without painkillers; and bloody, violent
slaughter are all the norm at factory farms.
grilling meat is the incredible animal cruelty in every bite.
Extreme confinement; mutilations without painkillers; and bloody, violent
slaughter are all the norm at factory farms.
8. The
Meat Industry Exploits Workers
Meat Industry Exploits Workers
Labor Day is when we honor the American labor
movement and the contributions that workers have made to our society. But
sadly, the meat industry doesn’t care about workers, their contributions, or
their well-being.
movement and the contributions that workers have made to our society. But
sadly, the meat industry doesn’t care about workers, their contributions, or
their well-being.
From slave labor to sexual abuse, workers at
modern farms are horribly exploited and abused. These workers are subjected to countless workplace hazards,
including injuries, respiratory illness, PTSD, and exposure to antibiotic-resistant
bacteria.
modern farms are horribly exploited and abused. These workers are subjected to countless workplace hazards,
including injuries, respiratory illness, PTSD, and exposure to antibiotic-resistant
bacteria.
9.
Vegan Food Is Better Anyway
Vegan Food Is Better Anyway
Once you go vegan, an entire new world of
culinary delights opens up! From delicious grill-worthy vegan mock meats to flavorful side dishes like grilled veggies and baked
beans, having a vegan barbecue is easier than you think.
culinary delights opens up! From delicious grill-worthy vegan mock meats to flavorful side dishes like grilled veggies and baked
beans, having a vegan barbecue is easier than you think.
Don’t believe us? Check out these easy-to-make vegan black bean sliders!
—
End your summer with compassion and love.
Leave all animal products off your plate this Labor Day weekend and enjoy a delicious,
nutritious, and compassionate vegan meal!
Leave all animal products off your plate this Labor Day weekend and enjoy a delicious,
nutritious, and compassionate vegan meal!
