Eating animals

[kristinmb]

I am planning on completing my second Whole30. My first one was a few years ago and it was the only eating plan I have ever been able to stick to for more than a few days, let alone a whole month! It wasn't easy, but I felt great and free from my sugar addiction and periods of being "hangry." The problem I have now is that although I do eat meat and other animal products, I do so far less often because I am majorly concerned about the treatment of animals raised for food or food products (dairy, eggs). Obviously I won't have to worry about dairy on the Whole30, and I can afford certified humane free-range eggs, but it is hard for me to afford meat that I know comes from humanely raised and slaughtered animals (if slaughter can ever really be humane). Wondering how other people who have dealt with these feelings found peace with eating meat, especially those on a budget.

[misshannah]

Hi kristinmb, I feel the same way about humane meat. I'm lucky that I don't mind eggs at all, so I eat them for protein a lot because I have access to very clean eggs from humanely treated chickens in my town. 

 

I'll be super-honest, there's a degree of compartmentalizing that I have to do when I'm eating according to the guidelines because I have to do the best I can with my resources. I feel that chickens get the most horrifying treatment of all the food animals, so I prioritize humane pastured chicken. After that, I try for grass-fed/pastured beef because at least they maybe get to be outside and live like they're meant to at some point in their lives. I try to eat fish because I don't believe they suffer the way land animals do in industrial animal production. 

 

Just do your best and know that we just have to balance having compassion for animals with having compassion for ourselves. 

[kristinmb]

Thanks misshannah. That's really helpful. I also feel chickens suffer the worst of the treatment and also prioritize getting certified humane pastured chicken and humane eggs. I also love eggs, but didn't know if it was healthy to make it one of my biggest sources of protein. I don't eat fish or seafood, but may try to start eating fish, especially if it is easier to find ecologically- and humanely-raised varieties at an affordable price. Plus, we all know fish is healthy!

Thanks for the reminder about being compassionate toward myself! I have dealt with body image problems for over half f my life and recently decided that I would no longer say negative things about my body/self. After a couple months of practicing this, I have felt much more comfortable in my own skin and also have developed genuine self love (in a healthy, not narcissistic way). I need to remind myself that I can only do the best I can do regarding food choices. Thanks for your help with that.