What’s wrong with dairy and eggs?  Isn’t it enough to not eat meat?

 

Whether you eat a plant-based diet for reasons of nutrition or compassion, there are compelling reasons to also avoid dairy and eggs.  First, let’s talk about factory farming.  Most people do not realize that meat, dairy and eggs are produced through factory farming methods.  That means that animals are raised in very small spaces and often are not allowed to move during their lifetimes (as with chickens in battery cages and baby calves in veal crates).

 

The factory farm animals are given antibiotics regularly to keep diseases under control because of the conditions.  The animals are also given hormones in their food so that they grow more quickly, thereby producing higher profits. 

All of them are killed, often in very cruel ways.  When you eat these animals and their milk and eggs, you are eating not only the fear and pain that they have experienced, you are eating antibiotics and hormones on a regular basis.  If asked whether a person should be eating antibiotics and hormones at every meal, most people would reply with a resounding “no!”

 

Let’s also talk about the purpose of these “foods.” Did you know that humans are the only species who actively drink the mammary secretions of other species?  And humans are the only species who actively drink mammary secretions after weaning age!  You’ve heard the phrase “milk is the perfect food” – and that is absolutely true if you are a baby calf!  However, the nutritional needs of baby (or adult) humans and baby calves are quite different.  Human milk is the perfect food for human babies, just as cow’s milk is the perfect food for baby calves.  This is also true for sheep, goats, etc.  Many doctors and others in the medical field (see question #1 above) outline the various health concerns with consuming dairy.  For more information on specific concerns, see http://notmilk.com  and http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10998/the-sour-facts-about-milk-what-every-parent-needs-to-know.html

 

Eggs have had years of their dangers (think cholesterol) being widely advertised.  More recently, people are receiving conflicting information about eggs because of excellent advertising.  However, many studies state that consuming eggs is dangerous for a human’s health.  Again, you can read the books of people already mentioned, or do a quick search on Dr.  Michael Greger’s website at http://nutritionfacts.org for the details and dangers. 

 

Bottom line on all studies – always trace it back to the money.  Who funded the study?  If the study was not funded by an impartial group, look again.  Beware that some impartial sounding groups are ultimately funded by those with a specific required result.  When the results are favorable toward the funding group, look for more studies.