Eye Opener: CSPI!

Hello Everyone!

So this Eye-Opener was about doing short quizzes from CSPI. What is CSPI you ask? CSPI stands for Center for Science in the Public Interest. CSPI has been a strong advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alcohol policy, and sound science. They also educate the public, advocate government policies that are consistent with scientific evidence on health and environmental issues. Seriously, check out the CSPI link to learn more. It's really interesting!

So I did the Eating Green Calculator. This calculator asked how many servings of beef, chicken, eggs, dairy, etc. I eat each week. They ask you this to calculate how your diet effects your health and the environment. I usually eat chicken everyday, an egg everyday, a dairy product everyday, and beef 2 or 3 times a week. Here were my results...

 

Results:

WOW, I am bad. 

1.3 acres of grain and animal grass to feed the animals I eat, 44.1 pounds of fertilizer used to grow animal feed, almost a half pound of pesticides used to grow animal feed, and the most shocking...7,700 pounds of manure created by the animals I eat. For cholesterol, I eat 147% of my daily value! I have heard many bad and good things about egg yolks. Moderation is always key.

Making a Change:

So after those shocking results, I had to click a link to improve my diet and protect the environment. You have to recalculate how much you are willing to give up each week. For each animal product, I gave up about 1 or 2 portions of each. The difference of those 1 to 2 portions is astonishing. I would have 39% less cholesterol, only 12 pounds of fertilizer, and the biggest improvement would be 2,157 pounds of manure compared to the 7,700 pounds from before!

I Pledge...:

I took the pledge to protect my health and the environment, I will eat a more plant-based diet—more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts and fewer fatty meat and dairy products. When I do eat animal products, I will emphasize ones that are lower in fat and raised in humane ways that minimize harm to the environment. I took this pledge because I am originally the Protein Queen. I love my milk and my meat!! But I really do need to eat more fruits and vegetables for my health and for the ENVIRONMENT!! (my signature below is my signature to take the pledge!)

Choh's Final Thoughts:

This really was an Eye-Opening activity for me!! I was so clueless before about how much of an impact I was making on this planet by eating my favorite foods. But really, we need to stop and think about where our food came from and the consequences that may follow!!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi