I heard that plant crops are just as bad as meat crops

I was talking to my sister today about the horrible conditions that animals are kept in at commercial meat farms. I told her that it made me want to become a vegan. But her answere to me was that it was stupid because even though animals are treated horribly and the meat is therefore unhealthy, commercial crops are just as bad. Her argument was that plants undergo just as much genetic manipulation as animals do, it usually leeches the firtility out of the soil, and the pesticids are as bad as the antibiotics.

Now, I'm feeling that trying to make a difference to my health and animal conditions is hopeless, and that I should just give up. It makes me want to cry, or maybe die. What should I believe?

 

eat local organic foods, or start growing your own. Even if you stop eating the pesticide foods, animals will still be treated horribly.
What kind of diet do you eat now?

 

its true that commerical agriculture is un-sustainable and polluting, but the meat industry really is worse. they grow the animals food under the same non-sustainable conditions, and then there is the waste that the animals produce and the disgusting way in which theyre raised.
the best thing you can do is grow your own food. if thats not possible then buy local and organic.
since im not morally opposed to eating meat (as long as its humanely raised), i eat organic, free range and locally raised meat (and my own chickens) on occaision.
if you live in or near a rural area, you can buy from farmers markets and stalls. if you have to buy from a grocery store, check to see where the produce comes from and avoid packaged foods. also, try to eat seasonally. gowing strawberries in winter for example takes a shitload more resources than growing them in summer.
if youre primarily worried about your health, its a simple matter to eat an organic vegetarian diet. no GMO, no pesticides, less environmental impact (eat local for even less impact because it doesnt have to travel as far...lol)

 

Using up soil and forest to me still isnt as bad as the cruelty animals go through in my eyes

 

Yeah, until you can grow your own food or ID your own wild food, I would try to eat close to 100% organic foods diet...even though organic agriculture isn't necesarily sustainable or eco-friendly when forests are clearcut to cultivate acres of grains or soy which aren't really amazing health foods in my opinion...

But any organic food is obviously superior to putting chemicals and pesticides into your body...unless your planning for cancer or you'd like to completley disrupt your endocrine system and hormonal balance and mood stability....

I find it hard to heal one self eating food that doesn't heal the planet...the two have to go hand in hand. If your concerned about the planet and your health and you want to be a conscious consumer, I recommend buying as many hemp products as you possibly can...Protein powder, oil, frozen bread, whole seeds, hemp seed butter, etc...

 

I don't think that plants feel pain or generally "feel" in the same way animals do. You could buy organic...

 

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. It makes me feel better. The good thing is, I'll hopefully be going off to college soon, so I can choose my own food for myself, without worrying about my family's reaction. And, if I end up not in college, I'll get a job, so then I can buy my own food. Once I learn how to drive, I can locate a good health-food store.