Thread by @JustMissEmma, I had to make a really difficult, and for me, heartbreaking decision [...]

I had to make a really difficult, and for me, heartbreaking decision recently. I’ve been a vegetarian since the age of 12, and a vegan for over 8 years now, but last month I gave in to pressure from doctors that I must start eating some meat again.

I’ll try explain why...

For 10years I’ve been iron deficient, and anaemic. I’ve tried everything possible to correct it, but even though my diet was incredibly healthy, I just don’t absorb things very well. Years of iron supplements have wrecked my stomach and allergy to infusions left me at a dead end

I’ve spent my whole life speaking up for the voiceless and fighting against cognitive dissonance. I knew from a very early age just how special animals were, and at 12 I declared myself vegetarian, much to the annoyance of my parents...So how on earth could I change now!

My instinct was to say “I will not kill an animal so that I can live...that makes no sense!” And I still agree...it makes no sense. But after many begged me to reconsider my thinking, I decided to do some research on other possible ways to introduce meat into my diet.

And so began months of research into grass fed organic ethical farming. Prioritising animal welfare was important to me, but I was dreadfully torn. “how can their welfare be priority if you’re eventually going to kill them!” as you can imagine, I had MANY arguments with myself

I even tried to debunk my own mindset, researching the loss of animal life through harvesting (yes, that’s horrific. vegan crops are never truly without cruelty) but the guilt of constantly thinking about images I had shared so many times of the meat industry just haunted me

Months down the line, I sourced a grass fed farm, asked LOTS of questions regarding their quality of life, and their deaths. I even asked for pictures of the farm to ease my concerns... and made my decision to try eating meat again.

I don’t eat pork, and find it impossible to eat turkey either! so I decided that beef would be the only meat I would try. I made my peace with it, and through a lot of tears and tantrums that I was going against everything I believed in, I ate my first steak in 34 years. I cried

So why am I telling you? I could have just kept quiet and continued to advocate a vegan/veggie diet

Well, b’cause as much as I would love the world to be vegan, it’s just not realistic...so those who DO eat meat through choice, can do so without the cruelty of industrial farming

Apart from it being incredibly cruel, and animal welfare an afterthought,
Intensive factory farming is one of the biggest threats to the global environment through loss of our ecosystems. Purchasing meat from grass fed farms has less eco impact, and animal welfare IS important

There are so many little changes we can make that collectively WILL have a positive effect on animal farming.
I still drink dairy alternatives, and only have eggs when my friends chickens lay too many! (the dairy industry appals me) and of course, my Dr Martens remain vegan

So how have I been after a month? Well, my recent blood test showed I am for the first time in over 10 years not anaemic. My bloods are improving. My conscience hasn’t quite caught up yet though, as I still feel incredibly guilty...that will take a lot of getting used to.

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