Fruitarian | Fruitarian Diet

In the United States, the consumption of turkeys has increased over the years.  Although turkey meat is still most popular during Christmas and Thanksgiving, it is also now consumed gaining popularity as a part of other the dining table during other celebrations.  Because of this increasing demand, the process of turkey meat mass production has become barbaric, similar to the mass production of chickens to meet the market demand.

Turkey meat comes from animals living in extreme conditions

To prevent the animals’ aggressive behavior when allowed to roam freely, the turkeys are stored in small spaces that limit their movement.  They are fed much more than necessary that it becomes difficult for the legs of the turkey to support its sudden increase in body weight.  Because of this, the animals’ life span only reaches two years instead of the normal 10-year turkey life span.

Turkey meat may also have been exposed to diseases

Because the turkeys are in overcrowded and abnormal environment, turkeys for commercial consumption suffer diseases.  It was recorded that 2.7 million of the animals in this unsuitable living condition die every year.  The animals suffer physical deformities, stress and starvation because the crowding prevents them from finding the feeding troughs.  The overcrowding also leads to inefficient sanitation.  The contact with the waste matter can cause ulceration and hock burns on the feet of the turkeys.

These facts can change the way you look at the roasted turkey at the center of the holiday dinner table.  Turkey meat portions have to be cooked with the same cleanliness standards as for chicken meat.  There is a recommended cooking temperature for turkeys to make sure that all bacteria are killed.  The kitchen also has to be disinfected after the food preparation to kill any microorganisms on the counter.

For this reason, more and more people find reason to adopt a vegetarian diet.  Some people may still find it funny and odd to have a fruits-and-vegetables-only diet.  However, when you weigh the benefits, both on a health and humane perspective, it makes sense to spare the turkey during your next holiday dinner.

Photo Credit : quinn.anya