At the weekend, I caught up with a friend and, as often happens these days, we got onto the topic of food.
“I limit the amount of meat I eat because of the environment,” she said.
My response - “you should eat meat and drink bone broth for the environment” - stopped her in her tracks. Naturally, she asked me to explain.
1. There is no such thing as a deathless food system.
No ifs, no buts. It’s a hard truth, but it applies to everything we eat. That cabbage you had with dinner? It was likely sprayed with chemicals that killed insects. That carrot you snacked on? The farmer probably shot rabbits trying to eat it. Even that slice of toast - fields of wheat are harvested by machines that don’t stop for the animals hiding in the crops. Death is part of the cycle, no matter what’s on your plate.
2. Large-scale arable farming isn’t good for the planet.
Next time you’re out walking, sit in a mono-cropped field - just wheat, or barley, or rapeseed - and try to find signs of wildlife. Then head over to a field with grazing cows and do the same. It’s not hard to guess which one supports more biodiversity. Grass-fed, pasture-based farming systems can be alive with birds, insects, wildflowers, and healthy soil ecosystems.
3. Cows are part of the carbon cycle - and could help reverse climate change.
Grass-fed livestock don’t contribute to a net increase in methane or CO₂. They’re part of the biogenic carbon cycle, meaning they recycle existing carbon rather than adding new emissions. When managed properly, grazing animals help sequester carbon into the soil, improve land health, and support wildlife - all while providing incredibly nutritious food.
4. Meat is the most nutrient-dense food on the planet.
In a time when mental illness, obesity, and chronic disease are skyrocketing, we should be questioning the ultra-processed, low-animal-protein diets pushed by governments and food corporations. Meat provides essential nutrients like vitamin B12 - something you can’t get from plants. Studies have shown B12 deficiency can even lead to brain atrophy in infants breastfed by vegan and vegetarian mothers. This isn’t about dogma - it’s about biology.
So, if you're going to drink bone broth - make the most of it.
One of the best ways to honour the animal and support your health is by drinking bone broth. Made from the bones and connective tissues of pasture-raised animals, bone broth is rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals you won’t find in many other foods today. It’s a natural way to support your gut, joints, skin, and immune system - while also reducing waste and using every part of the animal.
So yes, eat meat for the environment - and sip bone broth for your health!
References
Why vegans have small brains - https://www.whyveganshavesmallerbrains.com/
Brain atrophy study - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31868292/