The cows are not eating what you eat. They are not eating your food.  Animals are good for the environment; eating and being eaten is an essential part in our entire ecosystem. This includes bacteria, fungi, bugs, birds, elk, bison, deer, tigers, elephants, and yes, even cattle. The 'meat is bad, fiber is good' rhetoric is absolute nonsense.  Meat is nutrient dense, easy to transport and store, grows where other food can't, and absolutely IS good for the environment.  Raising meat completes the ecological cycle, just as wild animals do. It's easier and more economical to eat local and sustainably-raised animal products than local and sustainably-raised plant food. If you have to import animal products, calorie-for-calorie and nutrient-for-nutrient you will use less resources and fossil...