Earlier last month, McDonald's introduced its first non-meat meal options in Norway: Vegan McNuggets and the Vegetarian McFeast burger.
It is no secret that the United States meat and dairy industries are
harmful to animals, our health, and our planet. Whether it is to slim down,
become healthier, save animals’ lives, or reduce toxic waste, more people
are adopting vegan and vegetarian diets every year. No proof exists that
humans must consume meat to live; to the contrary, it has been proven that
those who live on plant-based diets are less likely to suffer from cancer,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, strokes, cardiovascular
disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Besides damaging one’s health, the
meat industry also produces vast amounts of pollution and is one of the
biggest causes of climate change. This is all without mentioning the most
heartbreaking truth about our society’s obsession with meat: it is an
unnecessary waste of sentient animals’ lives.
Meat is especially harmful in the form that most United States citizens are
receiving it. Before a piece of flesh touches your plate, it has already
been exposed to antibiotics, hormones, bacteria, ammonia, chlorine, fecal
matter, and a host of other toxins that can cause serious health issues.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), meat can be
given certain “medically necessary” antibiotics, and still be considered
“organic.” If external toxins are found in even the most regulated and
expensive meat, one can only imagine what is contaminating the processed
scrap meat served at fast food chains. However, this thought is often
suppressed by the millions of fast food consumers who ignore what they are
actually eating because their affinity with convenience is much stronger.
The reality is that, if given the choice between a meal that is ready to be
eaten and a meal that still needs to be prepared, the vast majority would
take the former.
Luckily for McDonald’s customers in Norway, you can have your cake and eat
it, too. Earlier last month, the global fast food kingpin introduced its
first non-meat meal options in Norway: Vegan McNuggets and the
Vegetarian McFeast burger. The new selections added to the list of
vegan and vegetarian menu items being tested by McDonald’s throughout the
world, albeit in very limited jurisdictions. The other choices include the
McVegan burger, a permanent menu item in Finland since 2017, the McFalafel
in Sweden, and the McAloo Tikki in Chicago, the company’s global
headquarters restaurant.
Regardless if you call it goodwill or a smart marketing strategy, what
McDonalds is doing is important. The company’s progressive actions to
accommodate those who have eliminated meat from their diet sets them apart
from most other fast food chains, as they are paving the way for an
industry-wide response to dietary shifts toward vegetarianism and veganism.
Considering all of the failing animal welfare regulations, it is very likely
that all we as humans need in order to overcome our meat obsession is to
have a variety of meatless options readily available. Thus, even if
McDonald’s is doing this for economic reasons, it should still be commended
for making vegan and vegetarian options more prevalent and accessible to its
customers. While it is argued that the use of carbohydrates makes these
meatless options not so healthy, it is certainly better than the nearly fake
meat it provides in their traditional menu items because it is better for
the environment and no animals are hurt in the making. Besides, who goes to
McDonalds to be healthy anyway?
Number of animals killed in the world by the fishing, meat, dairy and egg industries, since you opened this webpage.
0 marine animals
0 chickens
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0 pigs
0 rabbits
0 turkeys
0 geese
0 sheep
0 goats
0 cows / calves
0 rodents
0 pigeons/other birds
0 buffaloes
0 dogs
0 cats
0 horses
0 donkeys and mules
0 camels / camelids