“Moderation: a median with no means, praised by those with no misfortunes, practiced by those with no merits.”
-Bauvard, Some Inspiration for the Overenthusiastic
“Everything In Moderation!” This is the #1 comment expressed to me by people when they first learn that I am vegan. The comment is usually followed up by something along the lines of “I only eat red meat once in a while” or “I don’t eat meat every day.”
I believe that the comment “everything in moderation” is bulls**t”! Why do I believe this?
1. The word “moderation” means different things to different people.
Who, exactly, is setting the limits of what constitutes “moderation?” Is it the “moderation experts” or the “moderation police?” I would consider 2-3 alcoholic beverages per week to be “moderate” drinking, whereas certain friends of mine would consider 2-3 alcoholic beverages per day to be “moderate” drinking. See my point?
2. I believe that trying to stick to your own standard of what you consider to be a “moderate” amount of anything is a slippery slope.
You may, with very good intentions, try to eat just one doughnut at a time; but “something” overtakes you and, before you know it, you end up devouring the entire box. Trust me, this happens to me every time I visit Dun-Well Doughnuts! I promise myself that I will indulge in just one, but it’s just not possible for me. Who has the strength to choose between the glazed original “fresh-from-the-oven” or the peanut butter and jelly doughnut? And even if you make that very difficult choice, you may be prone to grabbing your husband’s doughnut right off of his plate with almost no self-control. This is what happens to me. Hence, my slippery slope theory!
3. I believe that if you are being truthful, then “everything” cannot be done in moderation.
It cannot be refuted that there are addictive qualities to many things that people choose to do “in moderation.” Drugs such as heroin or cocaine are addictive. Smoking cigarettes is addictive, and I’ve even read that eating cheese is addictive. Yes, you heard me correctly…cheese! Although it seems highly unlikely to me that eating a store-bought piece of steak, chicken or fish is addictive, I bet that eating these same “foods” from a fast food joint could very well become addictive. Therefore, I do not believe that using drugs such as heroin or cocaine, smoking cigarettes, or eating fast foods should or could be done in moderation.
When considering your overall health, I also believe that there are many cholesterol-laden foods which cannot be eaten in moderation and which should be avoided altogether if you are trying your best to maintain the healthiest heart possible. Eggs would be an example of such a food.
Moral issues must also be considered when thinking about the phrase “everything in moderation.” There are just certain things that people should not do in a civilized society “in moderation.” Is it okay to use racial slurs “in moderation?” Or mentally or physically abuse one’s spouse “in moderation?”
It is my belief that, as a “civilized” society, we should really think very carefully about the things we choose to do “in moderation.” One such thing is eating animals. Is it really okay to eat brutally slaughtered animals “in moderation?” And what constitutes “moderation” in this regard? Is it once per week? Once per month? Once per year? Once per lifetime?
Think about it.
