Food and ethics

Michael, Maria, Aadesh and Lina are eating lunch in the school cafeteria. Lina is the only one eating meat. She’s curious. Why do her friends choose not to eat meat? Each of them has their own reason.

Michael says that his family eats meat, but he thinks it’s not fair to kill animals so that we can eat them. He decided to become a vegetarian because he feels sorry for the animals. Sometimes his family is worried that he doesn’t get enough nutrients, but he explains that there are many plant-based products which can take the place of meat. Plants have many nutrients too, and they are a good source of a variety of vitamins and fibre. He also gets proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals from milk and dairy products.

Michael has heard a lot about the bad conditions in which animals have to live before they are slaughtered to become food. It makes him sad that they’re often crowded into small spaces, and are fed antibiotics to stop them getting sick. Many of them are not living happy lives! Aadesh agrees with Michael. He thinks that using animals for our own advantage is unethical.

Aadesh is Hindu, and in his religion, people should not use violence against any living creature. They should respect nature, and all forms of life. Hinduism doesn’t forbid Aadesh from eating meat, but he believes that hurting animals is against his faith. Aadesh is concerned about the environment too. He knows that livestock farming consumes a lot of water and energy, and causes pollution and increased emission of greenhouse gases.

That’s why he decided to be vegan. He doesn’t eat any animal products: no milk, cheese, eggs or honey. He only eats plant-based food. Maria isn’t eating meat today either. This is for religious reasons.

People who share Maria’s faith decide not to eat certain foods, for instance meat, for certain periods. She believes it helps her exercise her willpower, and focus more on prayer and religious celebrations. Fasting helps her appreciate everything she has in life more deeply. She also thinks a lot about those who are less fortunate than her. Fasting is common in many different religions around the world.

Some people, according to Maria, are more extreme in their fasting, and just eat bread, or nothing at all! But she doesn’t think that’s healthy. Lina understands her friends’ choices. Her family have their own ethics related to food. Although they eat meat and dairy products, they always try to choose locally produced, organic, and fair trade alternatives.

They want it to be produced in a responsible and sustainable way, with respect to people and nature. Everyone has their own opinions and reasons for choosing to follow a certain diet, or give up certain foods. Although it’s a personal decision, it’s good to be aware that our choices have an impact on nature and our health.