Ethical Eats

Did our recent Skinny Bitch giveaway plop a hefty serving of food safety and ethical agriculture back on your plate?

We slowed up when Fast Food Nation and Super Size Me hit DVD. We all sat on our couches with a bowlful of Doritos (and not the baked kind, 'cuz they don't taste as good!), getting more grossed out by the second.

And then of course, we've had our share of grocery-shelf wakeup calls: BSE-infected beef, spinach contaminated with E.coli, hormones in dairy and meat, PCBs in farmed fish, genetically engineered grains... and that's just the question of food safety. There remain many ethical questions, not only about animal cruelty but how we as a population approach farming and ranching, and the impact of agricultural practices on local towns and the environment.

Is it so surprising that many people are rethinking their diet?

While you may not be able to sign up for a life sans rotting flesh (a.k.a. scrumptious ribeye steak), there are many choices for improving - or at least rethinking - your menu. You might have never heard of some of them, and so without further ado....

A Discriminating Diner's Dictionary

Vegetarian diets:

(1) Fruitarianism: fruits, nuts, and seeds collected in a way that does not harm the host plant. Remember that line from Notting Hill about murdered carrots?

(2) Lacto-Ovo vegetarianism: all plant products plus animal products that are harvested without killing. Dairy, eggs, and honey may be consumed with this diet.

(3) Veganism: plant products only, avoiding all animal products including those harvested without directly harming the host (e.g. honey, eggs, dairy).

Semi-vegetarian diets:

(1) Macrobiotics: emphasis on whole grains and beans. Some people also eat fish.

(2) Pescotarianism: a vegetarian diet that includes fish and seafood.

(3) Pollotarianism: a vegetarian diet that includes poultry and fowl.

Organics: all food and drink items come from USDA-certified (or equivalent) organic producers. Read labels carefully, because while organic meat and dairy won't include hormones or unnatural feed, it may not be free-range raised. You can find items that fit both criteria even in your regular grocery store, but your safest bet is an organic food store like Whole Foods.

Naturals (lame-o name is mine): food is harvested from natural sources, including garden- and wild-grown plants plus wild meat (e.g. rabbit, deer, etc) and fish. While you can't be certain about possible food contamination, you can be confident that the animals had a natural lifestyle.

Kosher: along with other faith-based diets, food is harvested and prepared according to strict guidelines that are typically healthier than your average grocery store slop. Certain animals and seafood are completely excluded, such as lobster and shellfish (they are scavengers and eat, well, rotting garbage). However, the products do not need to be produced organically or using free-range practices.


Whatever dietary switch you consider, it is always advisable to tell your doctor or nutritionist about your decision. Do your research to make sure you are covering all your nutritional needs (in some cases you may need to take a supplement or eat more of certain foods), and make your transition gradually. This will place less stress on your system and will help you wean off some favorite foods that you now have to give up.