Selecting sustainable meat and poultry is not only good for the environment, but also for your health and taste buds. But how do you know which products are eco-friendly, humane, and high-quality? Here are some tips to help you make informed choices when shopping for meat and poultry.
One of the easiest ways to identify sustainable meat and poultry is to look for labels that certify their production standards. For example, organic, grass-fed, free-range, and pasture-raised are some of the terms that indicate the animals were raised without antibiotics, hormones, or synthetic feed. You can also look for labels that verify the animal welfare, such as Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane, or Global Animal Partnership.
There are problems with labels. Some labels are based on practices which may or may not produce a better product depending on the context of each individual farmer. Organic is a good example of this where some farmers are working with nature to produce a better product while others are destroying nature to get the organic premium. Also the products of many different farmers are often commingled and results in a mix of good and bad product. The other problem is that some labels have such a broad meaning that they tell you very little of quality. Some grass fed programs raised on monocultures are not as good as diverse grain finished programs while grass finished on diverse diets is significantly better. Best way to know is to buy direct.
Another way to support sustainable meat and poultry is to buy from local farmers and producers who follow ethical and ecological practices. This way, you can reduce the carbon footprint of your food, support your community, and enjoy fresher and more flavorful products. You can also opt for seasonal meat and poultry, such as lamb in spring, turkey in fall, or game in winter, to match the natural cycles of the animals and the environment.
This is the best way to purchase meat that aligns with your values. You can ask the farmer what they are doing to improve human health, improve environmental health and improve animal welfare. If you don’t like their answers to those questions then you can purchase elsewhere. For optimum nutrient density the ideal time to purchase most meat products is in the fall.
Sustainable meat and poultry also means choosing a variety of sources and cuts, rather than relying on the same few options. By diversifying your sources, you can help reduce the demand for intensive farming, avoid wasting parts of the animals, and discover new flavors and textures. For example, you can try different types of meat, such as bison, rabbit, or goat, or different cuts, such as shank, flank, or liver.
One of the most effective ways to select sustainable meat and poultry is to limit your consumption and balance it with other sources of protein, such as beans, nuts, seeds, or eggs. By eating less meat and poultry, you can reduce the environmental impact of your diet, save money, and improve your health. You can also make the most of the meat and poultry you do eat, by using bones for broth, fat for cooking, or leftovers for sandwiches.
Finally, selecting sustainable meat and poultry also means cooking with care and respect for the ingredients. You can enhance the quality and flavor of your meat and poultry by using simple techniques, such as marinating, searing, roasting, or braising. You can also use herbs, spices, sauces, or condiments to add variety and interest to your dishes. And you can avoid overcooking, burning, or wasting your meat and poultry, by using a thermometer, a timer, or a scale.
If you want to learn more about selecting sustainable meat and poultry, you can do some research online, read books or magazines, or watch documentaries or videos. You can also talk to your local butcher, farmer, or grocer, and ask them about their sources, methods, and recommendations. Or you can enroll in a culinary education course that covers nutrition and food sustainability topics, and learn from experts and peers.
There is no such thing as sustainable meat and poultry. Whichever way you look at it, it doesn’t make sense. The amount of arable land used for feed, the amount of input and output calories, GHG emissions, pollution generated by waste (manure and more)… Just consider 100 calories consumed by a cow to produce 1 edible calorie! There’s nothing more wasteful and unsustainable than meat.
The way to eat sustainable meat and dairy is to eat vegan meat and vegan milk products. Environmental destruction and a giant waste of resources and animal cruelty are all major ingredients in animal flesh and animal products. So easy and delicious to be vegan today Google Veganza Vegan tips