We hear a lot of noise about GMOs, glyphosate, seed oils, and whether organic food is worth it. But here’s the bigger question: are we even worrying about the right things?

In this episode of Eat Meat Sparingly, Ali Essig breaks down the food and environment debate—without fearmongering. From skyrocketing global meat demand to the rise of genetically modified crops, pesticides, and seed oil controversies, Ali helps you see the bigger picture through the lens of the Word of Wisdom and stewardship.

✨ Inside this episode (Part 1):

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  Why global meat demand is driving GMO use more than anything else

  
  


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  The surprising truth about genetically modified foods (and why they’re not inherently dangerous)

  
  


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  What glyphosate really is, how it’s classified, and who’s most at risk

  
  


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  The difference between hazard and risk (and why that matters for your food choices)

  
  


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  Organic vs. conventional: what actually changes—and what doesn’t

  
  


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  The overlooked Group 1 carcinogen you probably eat every day

  
  


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  Why seed oils might not be the villain after all

  
  

The takeaway? You don’t have to eat perfectly, but you can eat more intentionally. And the biggest way to lower your health risks and bless the environment might be simpler than you think: eating more whole plant foods.

📌 This is part one of a two-part series on food and the environment. Stay tuned for part two, where we’ll dive even deeper into how animal agriculture impacts our planet and what it means to live as better stewards.

00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Event 00:45 Food and the Environment: Part One

01:15 The Impact of Meat Consumption

02:35 Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

09:30 Glyphosate: History and Health Risks

18:54 Organic vs. Conventional Farming

23:24 The Debate on Seed Oils

33:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts