# Ethical Eating – A Concise Guide

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/12/ethical-eating-a-concise-guide/
- Published: 2020-12-30T13:33:18-05:00
- Author: Eillin Delapaz

Eating three meals a day plus snacks has a considerable impact on the environment,
our health, soil, plants and animals, agricultural and food service workers. To 
look after our planet, more people are paying attention to food production. For 
instance, understanding the process and the negative affects of plants and animals
during the journey to the dining table. It is imperative that we all adopt an [ethical eating](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/08/5-most-eco-conscious-ways-to-update-your-diet/)
plan if we are to protect the future of our world.

## Be Picky About Your Plants

There is no doubt that becoming a vegan, vegetarian or just reducing your meat and
animal produce intake can help preserve the planet. 

Farm animals contribute to 35-40% of worldwide methane emissions and 64% of ammonia
emissions. Methane from cows is a potent greenhouse gas. About 28 times more potent
than carbon dioxide at [warming the Earth](https://greenlivingguy.com/2008/04/earth-temperature-noaa-global-warming-data/).
Ammonia from animal urine can lead to acid depositions and excessive nutrients in
soil, rivers, and lakes. It can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems and cause damage
to forests, crops, and other vegetation. Limiting your consumption of meat and animal
products will help reduce these emissions.

Consuming a completely plant-based diet does not mean you are 100% free from guilt.
The mass production of certain crops such as soybeans has received fierce criticism
for its role in South America’s deforestation, which is why consumers should look
for foods manufactured through ethical soy farming  and suchlike. 

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/markus-spiske-
vyHo3nnk8G8-unsplash.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1)

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com/Markus Spiske

## Still Treat Yourself to Meat

Eating ethically does not necessarily mean that you must become vegan or vegetarian.
You can still eat meat and animal products in moderation.

It is vital to opt for meat from animals that have been raised in an ethical manner.
Avoid intensively farmed produce. Look for meat and dairy products that have been
produced by a farm that cares for its animals’ welfare, encourages natural behavior,
and uses natural, high-quality animal feedstuff. 

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/jez-timms-DVRXFIH42d0-
unsplash.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1)

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com/Jez Timms

## Ethical Eggs

Always buy free-range eggs. Free range means that the chickens are able to roam 
free outdoors and not be jammed into tiny cages like those on battery farms. If 
you have sufficient space in your [garden](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/05/why-technology-must-become-more-eco-friendly/),
you could even keep your own poultry. You would be rescuing some birds from a battery
farm!

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/daniel-tuttle-
BPGPk_n7rkc-unsplash.jpg?resize=300%2C225&quality=52&ssl=1)

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com/Daniel Tuttle

## Be Wary of Waste

One of the best ways to ensure your diet is more sustainable is to substantially
reduce your waste. Today one-third of all [food](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/11/how-to-get-around-while-saving-the-environment-and-money/)
produced ends up in landfills, producing 4.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent per 
year. A person can reduce their food wastage by planning meals in advance before
visiting the grocery store. This can also help prevent over-shopping. Learning how
to store food correctly so that it lasts longer will help reduce food waste, as 
will being sensible about printed [use-by dates](https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/use-by-best-before-dates-difference/)
and not taking them as gospel. Try to prevent throwing food away. Eat smaller portions,
eat leftovers the following day or freeze food. 

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/photo-1503596476-
1c12a8ba09a9.jpg?resize=300%2C225&quality=52&ssl=1)

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com/Gary Chan