Ethical omnivorism

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Ethical omnivorism, [1] omnivorism [2] or compassionate carnivorism [1] , (as opposed to obligatory carnivorism, the view that it is obligatory for people to eat animals) [1] is a human diet involving the consumption of meat, eggs, dairy and produce that can be traced back to an organic farm. Ocean fish consumption is limited to sustainably farm-raised and/or ethically and wild caught, without contributing to illegal poaching.

Contents

Ethical omnivorism could be considered similar to locavorism.

Rationale

This diet tries to increase consumer support for more ethical meat production with the aim that it might be able to give incentive for more restaurants and stores to use ethical sources.

The main concerns of ethical omnivorists are related to the environmental impact of food (agricultural land use, greenhouse gases, water use and fertilizer runoff) and the welfare of farm animals. Proposed attitudes to eat more sustainably include: eating organic foods, eating local, having moderate red meat consumption, eating more plant-based proteins, and reducing food waste.[ citation needed ] As for animal welfare, there are product certifications in many countries (like in the US the Animal Humane Certified or the Certified Humane Raised & Handled) aimed at consumers with ethical concerns about the life conditions of the animals at the farms. [3]

Criticism

Because there are data showing negative environmental effects of red meat consumption,[ citation needed ] some vegetarians and vegans[ who? ][ citation needed ] criticize ethical omnivorism for failing to eliminate animal products entirely, claiming that humans do not require animal products to be healthy. [4] [5] Studies are mixed on this point. [6]

Proponents of ethical omnivorism may themselves concede that "vegetarian and vegan diets tend to be more environmentally friendly", while still seeing ethical omnivorism as a means to increase dietary sustainability to those unwilling or unable to give up meat. [6]

Related Research Articles

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Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal product—particularly in diet—and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A person who follows the diet or philosophy is known as a vegan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetarianism</span> Abstaining from the consumption of meat

Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat. It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slaughter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flexitarianism</span> Diet

A flexitarian diet, also called a semi-vegetarian diet, is one that is centered on plant foods with limited or occasional inclusion of meat. For example, a flexitarian might eat meat only some days each week. Flexitarian is a portmanteau of the words flexible and vegetarian, signifying its followers' less strict diet pattern when compared to vegetarian pattern diets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diet (nutrition)</span> Sum of food consumed by an organism

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plant-based diet</span> Diet consisting mostly or entirely of plant-based foods

A plant-based diet is a diet consisting mostly or entirely of plant-based foods. Plant-based diets encompass a wide range of dietary patterns that contain low amounts of animal products and high amounts of plant products such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. They do not need to be vegan or vegetarian but are defined in terms of low frequency of animal food consumption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetarian nutrition</span> Nutritional and human health aspects of vegetarian diets

Vegetarian nutrition is the set of health-related challenges and advantages of vegetarian diets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethics of eating meat</span> Food ethics topic

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental vegetarianism</span> Type of practice of vegetarianism

Environmental vegetarianism is the practice of vegetarianism that is motivated by the desire to create a sustainable diet, which avoids the negative environmental impact of meat production. Livestock as a whole is estimated to be responsible for around 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, significant reduction in meat consumption has been advocated by, among others, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their 2019 special report and as part of the 2017 World Scientists' Warning to Humanity.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a 501(c)(6) trade association in the United States. With over 112,000 members, the association claims to be the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. It has registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), nutrition and dietetics technicians registered (NDTRs), and other dietetics professionals as members. Founded in 1917 as the American Dietetic Association, the organization officially changed its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2012. According to the group's website, about 65% of its members are RDNs, and another 2% are NDTRs. The group's primary activities include providing testimony at hearings, lobbying the United States Congress and other governmental bodies, commenting on proposed regulations, and publishing statements on various topics pertaining to food and nutrition.

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Vesanto Melina is a Canadian Registered Dietitian and co-author of books that have become classics in the field of vegetarian, vegan, and raw foods nutrition, have sold almost a million copies in English and are in nine additional languages. She has presented talks and workshops on various aspects of vegetarian, vegan and raw foods and nutrition for dietitians, health professionals, and vegetarian associations in 17 American states and 9 Canadian provinces, and in 10 countries.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegan nutrition</span> Nutritional and human health aspects of vegan diets

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Jewish vegetarianism is a commitment to vegetarianism that is connected to Judaism, Jewish ethics or Jewish identity. Jewish vegetarians often cite Jewish principles regarding animal welfare, environmental ethics, moral character, and health as reasons for adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychology of eating meat</span> Psychology surrounding human consumption of meat

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Ethical eating or food ethics refers to the moral consequences of food choices, both those made by humans and animals. Common concerns are damage to the environment, exploitive labor practices, food shortages for others, inhumane treatment of food animals, and the unintended effects of food policy. Ethical eating is a type of ethical consumerism.

Vegetarian ecofeminism is an activist and academic movement which states that all types of oppression are linked and must be eradicated, with a focus on including the domination of humans over nonhuman animals. Through the feminist concept known as intersectionality, it is recognized that sexism, racism, classism, and other forms of inter human discrimination are all connected. Vegetarian ecofeminism aims to include the domination of not only the environment but also of nonhuman animals to the list. Vegetarian ecofeminism is part of the academic and philosophical field of ecofeminism, which states that the ways in which the privileged dominates the oppressed should include the way humans dominate nature. A major theme within ecofeminism is the belief that there is a strong connection between the domination of women and the domination of nature, and that both must be eradicated in order to end oppression.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ronald L. Sandler (2014). Food Ethics: The Basics. Routledge. p. 74.
  2. "Omnivorism" . Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  3. "Can you really be a conscious carnivore? | The New Food Economy". The Counter. 2018-07-09. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  4. Melina, Vesanto; Craig, Winston; Levin, Susan (December 2016). "Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets". Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 116 (12): 1970–1980. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.09.025. ISSN   2212-2672. PMID   27886704. S2CID   4984228.
  5. Craig, Winston J.; Mangels, Ann Reed; American Dietetic Association (July 2009). "Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets". Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 109 (7): 1266–1282. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2009.05.027. ISSN   1878-3570. PMID   19562864. S2CID   7906168.
  6. 1 2 Doheny, Kathleen. "Are There Health Downsides To Vegetarian Diets?". WebMD. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-12-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)