If every person in the United States switched out 10 common animal-based products with plant-based alternatives for a single day, they could save animals from more than 1 billion days of suffering, according to a new study from research nonprofit Faunalytics.
With funding from The Food Systems Research Fund, Faunalytics set out to determine which commonly consumed animal-derived foods cause the most amount of days suffering and deaths for farmed animals, surveying 8,000 people nationwide to see which products they consumed most frequently. Then, researchers coupled survey answers with public information gleaned from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
After assessing nearly 100 animal-derived products for the total number of days farm animals typically spend suffering to create them, along with the number of deaths involved in each product, researchers determined that if every person in the United States stopped eating these 10 foods for a single day, they could save animals approximately 1.16 billion days of suffering and abuse:
- Scrambled Eggs/Omelets: 201 million days of animal suffering per day of consumption
- Chicken Shreds/Ground: 171 million days of suffering per day of consumption
- Unbreaded Chicken Breasts/Fillets: 164 million days of suffering per day of consumption
- Unbattered Fish Fillets: 149 million days of suffering per day of consumption
- Chicken Strips/Nuggets: 122 million days of suffering per day of consumption
- Fried Eggs: 99 million days of suffering per day of consumption
- Unbreaded Chicken Parts: 96 million days of suffering per day of consumption
- Fish Shreds/Ground: 59 million days of suffering per day of consumption
- Breaded Chicken Breasts/Fillets: 56 million days of suffering per day of consumption
- Battered Fish Filets: 52 million days of suffering per day of consumption
With nationwide outbreaks of confirmed COVID-19 cases in meat packing and processing plants, more people have started turning to plant-based alternatives. But for those who have never before considered a vegan or reduced-meat diet, it can be difficult to know where to start, said Jo Anderson, the research director for Faunalytics.
Anderson noted that cutting out all animal products is the most meaningful way to help animals used in the farming industry. But cutting out just one animal product “can also make a big difference,” she made clear.
Transitioning to a more plant-based diet by eliminating the products on the researcher’s suffering-infused foods lists will, according to Anderson, maximize the benefits of people’s choices for the involved animals.
Additional data also breaks down the number of non-human animal lives that individual consumers can save by forgoing certain food products. For example, one fish life is saved for every two servings of battered fish fillets.
“Everyone has to start somewhere,” Anderson said. “This is helpful for consumers who want to eat fewer animal products but are unable to make the full commitment to a plant-based diet, as it suggests which products should be reduced first to benefit animals the most.”
Adopting a plant-based diet can help with the environment and your physical health, too.
Please hope this poor animals 😔🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I’m a little surprised not to see any livestock products on this list given the known horrors of the dairy industry and some of the cattle/herding farms and ranches. I suspect thats due to the fact that these appear to be predominantly premade processed food products that are highly manufactured. But the list almost sends the message that cattle/livestock products are ok to keep because they may not be as highly processed as some of these. I think a more useful list would summarize the frozen processed/premade foods (chicken nuggets/fish sticks etc) as 1 item and include a more diverse list of products. A lot of people do already avoid many of these items on doctor’s orders because of the high salt/preservative content during the processing stages, but they still consume many other animal products that they dont know are harmful, so i just think this list isnt quite enough.
“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission — to be of service to them whenever they require it.” — St. Francis of Assisi
I also got a Brooklyn Circus shut down. I witnessed them abusing the elephants. Hot weather they had no water. No Shade left in sun. They were making them to around in circles quite small giving rides. I also witnessed them whipping them as well. Rules also were changed to the BARNUM and BAILEY CIRCUS in Manhattan. Also,much abuse!
Ive wrote down the 10 foods. Good thing i dont eat any of it. Ive the petition. If we dont stop the cruelty our Earth is going to die. We must stand for whats right for AND & ALL.
GOD BLESS US ALL
I stopped eating meat over 44 years ago and the rest over 20 years ago. I will never go back.
GO VEGAN — Even on a good day, the Animal meat industry is depravedly brutal and cruel on ALL fronts — GO VEGAN — GO VEGAN — we have a lot of great food out there — GO VEGAN — GO VEGAN — There’s BEYOND Burgers, sausages, patties, bricks, meatballs — there’s GARDEIN with their wide assortment — take in more beans, veggies, grains, fruit — we do NOT NEED Animal products — simultaneously, we will SHUT DOWN the cruel idiots who abuse Animals on a daily basis, not to mention the effects of breeding, holding, raising Animals for consumption — it’s an unconscionably cruel business on many levels — everyone suffers: Animals, the Environment, People — GO VEGAN.
I am a vegetarian, as much as I would be vegan my health needs to eat some fish and dairy as I have had anemia and was terribly low with other health issues.. It is always best to check with your doctor, get blood checked to see what is best for your body. Cutting out meat is the best way, while making sure your body is ready to. By cutting out some can make a huge difference.
STUNNING AND SHOCKING RESEARCH THAT SHOULD BE WIDELY DISSEMINATED TO GLOBAL MEDIA COMPANIES. HOW ABOUT WE ALL ABSTAIN FROM THESE FOODS JUST ONE DAY A WEEK – IMAGINE HOW MANY BILLIONS OF DAYS OF ANIMAL SUFFERING WE COULD PREVENT.
I’m not a 100%, vegetarian, but not eating any meat, Almond milk and more, thank God when I know there are no animals products in my life, such a great feeling that can’t describe. I am not depending on animals blood in my life, I’m clean and can see animals and look at them like, your not my food, but my friends and so on…
I just feel so great in body and mind since going vegan. My conscience and soul are finally at peace.
Here, here! C’mon everyone! If I can fool or change my palate….anyone can!
Just do it! Healthy us, healthy planet, healthy pain free animals & foul.
Just STOP!