Explainer
How Are Turkeys Farmed?
The amount of turkey meat consumed has increased 104 percent since 1970 — virtually all sourced from animals raised on factory farms.
Food•8 min read
Explainer
Explainer
How Egg Production Became a $200-Billion Industry
Egg production is far from the idyllic image of a mother hen sitting atop her nest. Big Ag has corrupted the process, creating cheap eggs at the expense of billions…
Food•10 min read
Explainer
Are McDonald’s Fries Vegan?
Is anything at McDonald's vegan? This guide has answers.
Diet•5 min read
Explainer
Cattle Ranching Is Actually Terrible for Biodiversity
Over 1.5 million cattle graze on public lands to the detriment of biodiversity — wiping out native wildlife and destabilizing ecosystems.
Climate•12 min read
Explainer
Is Alcohol Vegan?
Wondering which alcoholic drinks are vegan? This guide can help.
Health•6 min read
Explainer
21 Vegan Bodybuilders Show It’s Better To Be a Vegan Bodybuilder
A growing number of vegan bodybuilders prove you can meet the body's protein requirements without meat.
Diet•8 min read
Explainer
Is Honey Vegan?
Honey is largely produced by bees living in manmade hives that are very different from their natural habitats.
Health•6 min read
Explainer
Is Bullfighting Cruel to the Bull?
Though bullfighting is often portrayed as a fair fight between man and animal, the bull experiences stress, physical pain and, ultimately, death.
Policy•8 min read
Explainer
What Is Jell-O Made of?
Jell-O is made from gelatin, an ingredient that comes from the bones, skin and connective tissues of farmed animals.
Health•7 min read
Explainer
Could Veganism Solve World Hunger?
Increasing adoption of vegan diets and curbing food waste are two powerful ways to combat world hunger
Policy•8 min read
Explainer
No, Vegan Leather Is Not Greenwashing
Despite what you may have read in a few viral Twitter threads, animal leather is not more sustainable than vegan leather.
Climate•7 min read
Explainer
Does Animal Agriculture Cause Climate Change and Pandemics?
The global animal agriculture industry rakes in billions of dollars while putting the environment and human health at risk.
Food•18 min read
Explainer
Just Like Puppies and Kittens, Young Chickens Like to Play Too
A new study found chickens are playful creatures who run, jump, wrestle and play with toys.
Science•4 min read
Explainer
Vegetarianism: Why Are There So Many Different Types of Vegetarian Diets?
There are many different versions of vegetarianism, and a wide range of benefits from adopting a more plant-rich diet.
Diet•9 min read
Explainer
What Are the Environmental Impacts of Dairy Farming?
The global dairy industry is responsible for rising rates of water and air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and degraded farmland.
Climate•7 min read
Explainer
Is Costco Chicken Good or Bad for You?
Is Costco’s chicken healthy? The wholesaler’s practices aren’t good for chickens or the workers who raise these birds, and there are plenty of healthy plant-based alternatives to choose instead.
Diet•6 min read
Explainer
Turkey Lifespan: How Long Do Turkeys Live Before Slaughter
Turkeys can live for decades in the wild but, when raised for food, these creatures are slaughtered as young as 12 weeks old.
Food•4 min read
Explainer
Goat Milk: Does It Contain Lactose and Can Humans Drink It?
Despite the persistent myth that goat milk is healthier and more ethically farmed, dairy goats experience the same factory farm conditions as cattle.
Health•8 min read
Explainer
Announcing New Midwest Journalism Fund
Sentient Media is launching a new $10,000 fund and training program to support journalists in the Midwest who report on environmental and agricultural issues.
Climate•2 min read
Explainer
What Is Cashmere Made of and Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?
Intensive farming may have made cashmere more affordable, but overgrazing has also led to widespread environmental damage and animal suffering.
Climate•8 min read
Explainer
What Is An Animal Sanctuary? And Why Are Farm Sanctuaries So Important For Animals?
An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives.
Policy•1 min read
Explainer
Processed Meat: What’s in It and Why Is It Bad for You?
Processed meats are a regular part of the American diet but eating them could be be risky for your health.
Health•8 min read
Explainer
Is Hunting a Sport?
Hunting is defined as the act of chasing another animal to kill, typically with a gun. Eight states have banned wildlife killing contests.
Policy•8 min read
Explainer
The Month in a Minute: July 2022
In Sentient Media's monthly video series, host Jasmine Leyva shares the top stories in food, animals and the environment in 60 seconds.
Month in a Minute•6 min read
Explainer
The Iditarod: How Long Is It and How Many Dogs Die in the Race?
Dogs who participate in the Iditarod sled race experience illness, injury and, in some cases, death.
Policy•9 min read
Explainer
Are Eggs Good for You?
Is it healthy to eat eggs every day? People may avoid eating eggs due to health concerns, allergies or ethical considerations.
Diet•6 min read
Explainer
Meatpacking: A Closer Look Inside a Secretive and Dangerous Industry
On factory farms, animals are subjected to stress, confinement and physical harm. But the meatpacking industry is also harmful to humans caught within it.
Food•3 min read
Explainer
Is Soy Good for You?
Soybeans are a protein-rich legume native to East Asia and the main ingredient of many different nutritious foods.
Health•15 min read
Explainer
Is Salmon Good For You? 6 Alleged Salmon Benefits Debunked
Salmon has long been considered a healthy source of protein, but there are plenty of nutritious plant-based alternatives.
Diet•8 min read
Explainer
The 14 Best Vegan Sources of Omega-3
Omega-3s are most commonly associated with seafood, but can also be found in leafy greens and other vegan sources, including foods that come from plants.
Health•8 min read
Explainer
Level Up Your Baking With These Vegan Egg Substitutes
Baking without eggs may sound challenging, but it's easier than you'd think. Check out this list of the best egg substitutes for home bakers and cooks.
Health•8 min read
Explainer
Gen Z: The Future of the Planet Is in Their Hands
Our planet is in trouble. Younger generations, like Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are taking action.
Climate•1 min read
Explainer
Where on Earth Does Gelatin Come From?
The gelatin available at most grocery stores is primarily made from a protein found in the bones of farmed animals such as cows and pigs.
Health•8 min read
Explainer
How Long Do Chickens Live on Factory Farms?
The vast majority of chickens spend their entire lives in the confinement of a factory farm. Farmed animals live for about six weeks before they are slaughtered.
Food•7 min read
Explainer
In Captivity, Dolphins Live Shorter, Less Natural Lives
In the wild, dolphins spend their lives surrounded by other dolphins. But in captivity, life looks very different, and their health often suffers as a result.
Climate•8 min read
Explainer
10 Exciting New Plant-Based Products Hitting Shelves This Year
Plant-based foods are one of the food industry's top-selling items. Here are a few of this year's trends, from "meatier" meat to plant-based seafood.
Health•7 min read
Explainer
Animals Benefit From a Mentally and Physically Stimulating Environment
Virtually every member of the animal kingdom benefits from a more mentally stimulating environment, especially zoo animals, cats, dogs, and even mice.
Science•8 min read
Explainer
What Are Hot Dogs Really Made Of?
There is not a lot of actual meat in hot dogs, even when it’s listed as a top ingredient. They are mostly water and fat, but hot dog companies don't…
Health•7 min read
Explainer
Do Cows Have to Be Pregnant to Produce Milk?
To produce milk, dairy cattle need to be impregnated. The typical dairy cow is bred every single year, giving her body no break from producing milk or carrying a baby.
Food•8 min read
Explainer
Is Eating Raw Meat Dangerous? Understand the Health Risks
Eating raw meat may be a common practice around the world, but that doesn’t make it safe. Eating raw meat raises the risk of a range of health problems.
Diet•5 min read
Explainer
Do Vegans Live Longer Than Meat-Eaters?
Maintaining a vegan diet can help you manage certain conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Vegans also tend to live healthier lives.
Diet•8 min read
Explainer
Eating Less Meat Is the Most Effective Way to Fight Climate Change
Eating less meat is the most powerful tool we have to avoid climate destruction. Here are a few tips to help you eat more sustainably.
Climate•8 min read
Explainer
What Foods to Avoid If You Are Lactose Intolerant
Over half of the world’s population suffers from lactose malabsorption, the condition behind lactose intolerance. Learn how to avoid its worst symptoms.
Diet•8 min read
Explainer
25 New Startups Chasing the Hottest Trends in Food Tech
Food tech startups reportedly received more than $39 billion in new funding in 2021. Food delivery companies and online grocers led the way.
Science•10 min read
Explainer
How to Start Eating Plant-Based: A Beginner’s Guide
Want to change the way you eat? You came to the right place. Here's a comprehensive guide to eating plant-based.
Diet•8 min read
Explainer
What Is a Food Web? A Simple Definition (With Examples)
All of life is interconnected, and a food web is one way to show how important each plant, animal, fungus, and bacteria is to habitats around the world.
Climate•10 min read
Explainer
Why Don’t Buddhists Eat Meat?
Buddhism focuses on doing no harm. As a result, many of its 500 million practitioners around the world, though not all of them, abstain from eating meat.
Health•10 min read
Explainer
10 Creative New Recipes for People Trying to Eat Less Meat
If you're trying to eat less meat, try one of the recipes listed in this article—all of which feature vegetables and legumes as primary ingredients.
Diet•9 min read
Explainer
Why Americans Are Choosing to Eat Less Meat
For the last several years, meat consumption in the United States has, in fact, been increasing. But many Americans are deciding to make a change.
Health•7 min read
Explainer
Eating Less Meat Is Key to Climate Mitigation
Scientists say dietary change is required to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Higher-income countries can maximize their impact by eating less meat.
Climate•8 min read
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