What I love about holidays is time with friends and family. That’s an upside for most people. Yet, a huge downside for millions of people is over-consumption of unhealthy foods and alcohol.
4th of July is no exception. Actually, the 4th may be one of the most notorious holidays for over-consumption.
Even though the way we celebrate this year is very different than in the past, the type of foods people consume may not be. Which leads to a few challenges.
Food Poisoning is Rampant
More people tend to get food poisoning because of their food choices and the way food is handled.
“Most people are aware of the dangers of overeating and over imbibing during the winter holidays, but few worry about a lesser-known risk of year-end celebrations. Every year, 48 million Americans develop food-borne illness (also known as food poisoning or stomach flu), most of which is not reported to health authorities. Festive dinners and buffets offer more opportunities for contamination than most meals, but you can greatly reduce your risk by taking a few precautions.” Harvard Women’s Health Watch.
With all the concern about COVID diagnosis, adding the risk of food poison to the mix just doesn’t make sense. When you consider the most common symptoms being nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, different food choices for this 4th of July celebration is a great choice.
Meat choices are some of the worst offenders.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is urging everyone to be food safe as they cook out this Fourth of July to keep the celebration free from illness-causing bacteria.
Plant Based Eating is a Great Solution
There is a very simple solution to minimizing cases of food poisoning this 4th of July; plant-based eating. That’s right. You can minimize your risk, and improve your health, by choosing to go plant-based.
Contrary to what many people think, there are plenty of great options for a full spread on the 4th when you choose plant based. This post on the Plant Based Cooking site offers several tasty options.
PLANT BASED RECIPES FOR THE 4TH OF JULY CLICK HERE
Not only is it healthier, you are not at as high a risk of food poisoning AND not consuming meat of any type is kind and compassionate to animals.
Millions of Animals Suffer Needlessly
Every year, over 150 million hot dogs are consumed. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, that’s enough hot dogs to make a line from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times.
People spent more than $800 million on beef during the two weeks leading up to the July 4 weekend, followed by $371 million on chicken and $218 million on pork. Shrimp ($85 million) and salmon ($48 million) also hit high numbers.
Sadly, the animals people consume are brought into existence simply to satisfy their craving for meat, fish and poultry. Think of the amount of suffering, anguish, pain, and disease that could be prevented if people chose to change what they consume.
Are you fully aware of the suffering animals go through to satisfy the way people choose to eat? Most of which are completely oblivious to the truth. Many might know the truth but callously say, “Don’t show me or tell me because I will lose my appetite for meat.” That’s the point.
Those of us committed to raising awareness want you to understand your contribution to the suffering. And needless at that.
Not only the suffering of animals, but your own suffering. Many diseases could me minimized, even eliminated, through healthier, plant-based food choices. It’s a fact that so many people are choosing to ignore as they pop another pill, drink pink goop, or head to toilet for the umpteenth time due to bad food choices. It’s really quite simple to make the change, but simple is beyond what some people want.
They are attached to a way of life, a story and a life that restricts and limits, but rather than take responsibility, they stuff one more burger or hot dog in their mouth and then wonder why they feel like garbage.
Garbage in, garbage out.
In a perfect world everyone would be fully aware of what their food choices do to either minimize the pain and suffering to animals. But we don’t live in a perfect world.
Even though we won’t change the whole world by going plant based, you will impact your world.
Your health will improve as will your energy, focus and creativity.
Additionally, you never know who’s watching what you do and making changes based on what they are seeing happen to your health, your energy and your compassion to animals.
Lots of Information on the Podcast
Not sure where to start? Here’s a great place… the Plant Based Eating for Health podcast show. I’ve interviewed dozens of men and women committed to a plant-based lifestyle.
When you choose a plant-based lifestyle, you are choosing a conscious lifestyle. One that is kind to your body, compassionate to animals and gentler on the planet.
Isn’t it time we do what we can to be more aware and conscious of our day-to-day choices? The very choices that give us a better quality of life.
