I stopped eating red meat about three and a half years ago. At the time, I thought it would just be for a few months as a way to eat healthier over the summer. However, the more I learned about what I was doing, the more I wanted to quit eating red meat altogether. While I do still eat chicken, turkey, and seafood, the small change I made in my diet has made some big impacts on my life.

Initially I stopped eating red meat in order to eat healthier. My family was using beef in almost every dinner we ate and we frequently went out for burgers. After I cut out red meat, I began eating turkey substitutes such as ground turkey, turkey bacon, and chicken sausage. There is definitely a difference in taste, but now I actually prefer the healthier alternatives. I thought it would be difficult to find foods to eat both at home and at restaurants since I was so used to eating mostly red meat. However, it was much easier than I thought! Instead of getting a burger or eggs and bacon, I'll get a turkey sandwich or a veggie omelet. Switching away from eating red meat has forced me to make healthier choices in my diet. I can still indulge in a cheese pizza or chicken alfredo if I want to, but I consciously choose to eat foods with less fat and calories for the majority of my meals. I feel a lot healthier now than I did four years ago.

After about a year of deciding to be red meat free, I began to learn about agriculture and it's link to several environmental problems. What I learned was that the raising of livestock such as cows creates a huge amount of greenhouse gases, especially methane, that is released into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. While all animals produce methane, commercial cattle are a major contributor due to their size, population, and lifestyle. I, being very passionate about conserving the environment, was shocked to learn just how harmful agriculture is to the environment. I'm currently working on the will power to go vegetarian, but even not eating red meat makes a difference.

Yes, there are times when I smell bacon or see a steak and I do miss it. However I am much more satisfied with my long term decision of not eating red meat than by the taste of a single burger. My small lifestyle change may seem insignificant, but it has made a difference for both my health and the environment. I am proud to say that I do not eat red meat by choice!

To learn more about agriculture and the environment, visit:

http://www.cowspiracy.com/