Does The Most Ethical Diet Include Meat? – Episode 23
The Bearded Vegans finds hosts Paul and Andy in a discussion dissecting all things vegan. News, reviews, interviews and in depth discussion of issues within the vegan community are regular features of the show.
Episode Description
This week The Bearded Vegans discuss their food adventures in Los Angeles, discuss whether we should celebrate non-vegan companies, such as Ben & Jerry’s and Hellmann’s, making vegan products and then conclude by asking the question “does the most ethical diet include meat?”
Show Notes:
Episodes referenced:
Episode 4 – Should Vegans Eat Ben & Jerry’s?
Episode 16 – Are Vegans Morally Obligated To Consume Road Kill?
Restaurants visited:
Sea Birds Kitchen
Articles discussed:
Ben & Jerry’s Vegan Ice Cream Line Revealed
Hellmann’s Just Launched It’s Own Vegan Mayo
Beyond Vegetarian: One Man’s Journey from Tofu to Tallow in Search of the Moral Meal [Interview]
Number Of Animals Killed To Produce 1 Million Calories in Eight Food Categories
Hosts
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Very interesting topic around the Beyond Vegetarianism article. I, like both of you, will not start eating meat, dairy or eggs due to that article, however. I have no desire to do so. Have you read Mind if I Order the Cheeseburger? by Sherry Colb? She does address some of the concerns about animals killed in plant ag in Chapter 13. Also, and I haven’t read the article yet, but I would think it would be an even better step to live as the author does but without killing any animals. I will read it, but for now, I wonder, why not still keep vegan while attempting to lessen our harm even more by living off the land veganically? Permaculture, as I understand it, certainly doesn’t have to include animals in the equation.
Hi Guys:
thanks for the shout out and appreciate trying us twice to make sure we are “real.” We did start out as a food truck – actually the first 100% plant based in 2010 in the US. If you ever want to talk being vegan and operating a successful restaurant on one of your podcast let us know.
Cheers,
Bill
Hey Guys,
I just listened to this episode and it’s a topic that’s really been bothering me lately. Why do we (vegans) keep ignoring the fact that our diets cause death and suffering to insects? It’s almost like we’ve forgotten that insects are animals too.
I’m vegan but I also acknowledge that my diet kills thousands of animals (insects) per year. I also acknowledge that I am speciesist, because I would rather eat a vegetable whose production killed dozens of insects than hunt, kill, and eat a mammal. I guess that’s even worse than speciesist, maybe “phylumist” is the more accurate term. Maybe that makes me a bad vegan, but I don’t believe that all animal deaths should be treated equal, and if you do, you should be eating wild game over farmed vegetables if you want your actions to be consistent with your values.
At the end of your podcast you admit that even though that seasonal omnivore guy’s diet may result in less animal death, it isn’t enough to convince you to start eating meat. Is this because you’re speciesist/phylumist too, and believe that the life of a deer is more valuable/important than the life of an aphid? I’m curious to know if you share that value of mine, because it seems like something that many vegans aren’t willing to admit.
Keep up the podcasts; I’m really enjoying listening to yours and VWPA’s.
Thanks,
Jackson
But what about all the insects killed by the wild animal ?
I feel like eating animals kill a lot more insect than eating the plants themselves.
Although I share your concerns. I feel really bad when I hear about farmers using insects to controls pests (other insects) instead of using poison directly since insects are really not known to give merciful quick and painless deaths (quite the contrary AFAIK).