For instance, I'd ideally be looking for something with complete protein and few to no additional carbs, to be accompanied by the vegetable dishes I already eat. Beyond meat tastes great but still manages to find exemplary ways to be unhealthy with things like saturated fats, and probably doesn't do much to resolve any exploitation issues, though it at least appears to be a step in the right direction.

For people looking to move to vegetarianism, possibly as a bridge to veganism, could it reasonably be said that animal products from animals raised in cruelty free and free range conditions are ethical? Can any organizations assure that?

[–] fairewinds@lemmy.fmhy.ml 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Lentils and mushrooms are high in protein and have a mealy texture with a give. They've been my meat-substitute best friends during becoming vegetarian :) Legumes in general are a good bet if you're a fan of them.

It's hard to find animal products you can be sure are cruelty free, unless you get them from a farm where you're familiar with the owners, and you don't consider animal products to be inherently unethical.

[–] illiteratepotato@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I work at a health food store chain and we have allegedly "extremely high standards" for eggs and meat BUT I always wondered how true that really is.

[–] usernamesAreTricky@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago

The industry standard nearly everywhere for the egg industry is to shred male baby chicks alive regardless of if they claim to be "free-range", "organic", "cage-free", etc. Here's a good video about that

[–] Comment105@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

Most vegan food is awful if you don't like lentils tbh.