I am debating cutting out eggs from my diet, but I think that this may actually indirectly result in more suffering from a utilitarian perspective, but here is the dilemma: I am currently only 14, but when I grow up, I am going to donate as much money as possible to charity, and I know that part of that will rely on me getting into a good college. I already am doing good in terms of academics, as I recently made it into one of the best high schools in my state, and I will go there next year. However, I also am a decent runner, not incredible but as of right now I have a 6:25 mile, and this summer I am going to start running maybe 5 miles a day and sprinting up and down hills in order to get my mile below six minutes. I am also doing 100 pullups, 250 squats, and 100 calf raises every day already. I know that this is nothing special, and for a track runner I am not that fast. However, if I can get my mile below 6 minutes, and eventually below 5 minutes 30 seconds, that will help in college applications, which will result in me being able to donate more to charity. However, eggs are a very big source of protein for me, so cutting them out will make it much harder to cut down my mile time. I have recently found out that eggs are one of the worst animal products in terms of animal suffering, if not the worst, so cutting them out will clearly help reduce animal suffering now. I am currently leaning towards cutting out eggs, but I am wondering if anyone else here has a different opinion or more information which I have not considered?
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Would you/your parents be open to purchasing more plant protein sources? This could be foods like beans, soy milk, or something like a pea protein powder.
Here's some more examples: https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/krnc/monthly-blog/plant-based-protein-a-simple-guide-to-getting-enough/
Hey, hi! I hope you are doing alright and not stressing too much about this. Definitely, cutting out eggs would be good, but is it affordable and accessible for you to go vegan gradually at the moment? If yes, do so. If not, take your time please :)
Since you are interested, check these out: The Best Type of Protein, and How Much You Really Need HOW NOT TO DIE, an instant New York Times Best Seller (lmk if you need more resources!)
(PS: you seem to be doing great in your life! Kudos :), good luck for everything you do! Cheers!)
Thanks for sharing, S, and for thinking about how to help the world from so early on! I am very uncertain, but I estimate eating eggs benefits animals.
I estimate replacing chicken eggs from hens in cages with plant-based food requiring as much cropland as the hens’ feed increases or decreases the welfare of arthropods 93.2 (= 3.39*27.5) times as much as it increases the welfare of hens [depending on whether wild arthropods have positive or negative lives].
My best guess is that wild arthropods have negative lives (with more suffering than happiness), so I estimate the replacement above decreases the welfare of arthropods 93.2 times as much as it increases the welfare of hens.
In order to benefit both farmed and wild animals, you could try to get eggs from hens living positive lives. These tend to require more feed, and therefore decrease more the number of wild animals, which I guess is good (with high uncertainty).
Replacing egg protein is not hard and it's not going to hurt your sport performance or future academic prospects.
Go see a nutritionist who specializes in vegan nutrition. Don't get 100% of your nutrition advice from the internet, just like you should not get 100% of your medical advice from the internet.
I will try to do that, thank you for the idea!