Читать книгу Zero Waste Cooking For Dummies - Rosanne Rust - Страница 25

The term conscientious omnivore was likely coined about 15 years ago. Perhaps a former vegetarian, who wanted to feel good about eating meat, thought that making statements about “only eating ethically raised meat” would make them feel good.

After visiting more than a dozen farms, including a large beef operation and a small grass-finished beef farm, the farmers I’ve met take caring for the land and their animals very seriously. My definition of conscientious omnivore is one whose diet focuses on legumes, vegetables, fruits, and grains (that is, plant foods) but can include small amounts of meat and dairy, too.

 From a clinical nutrition standpoint, a diet high in fiber that is balanced for carbohydrate, protein, and fat (mostly healthy monounsaturated fats), and is limited in sugar and sodium, is related to the lowest disease risk. Fresh beef, pork, and poultry are good sources of protein and provide a lot of important nutrients, including B vitamins (thiamin, B6, B12, and niacin) and minerals (phosphorus, iron, zinc, and selenium). Animal foods do contribute cholesterol to the diet, but when you’re eating small portions, it’s not an issue.

 From an ethical standpoint, livestock is raised for food by farmers and ranchers who know what they’re doing and raise and harvest animals in an ethical manner.

 From an environmental standpoint, being a conscientious omnivore can lower your overall food waste, reducing what ends up in landfills.

A vegan, on the other hand, may feel differently, and that’s okay, too. It’s important to keep in mind that there are a few different agendas here: health, the environment, and animal welfare. This book focuses on reducing food waste in your kitchen, not the ethics of eating or not eating meat.

I cover more about agriculture and sustainability in Chapter 2, but to set the record straight: It’s your choice to be either an omnivore or an herbivore. In both cases, you can have a positive impact on your food budget and the environment when you waste less food (and switching to a zero waste kitchen may also improve your health).