Myth vs evidence

The claims you keep hearing, checked against the evidence

Each page states the myth plainly, then gives the strongest evidence for and against it — and what the honest verdict is.

19 pages

Myth: Almond milk is worse for the planet than dairy milk

No, almond milk is not worse for the planet than dairy milk. Globally, dairy milk produces about 4.4 times more greenhouse gases, uses 18 times more land, and has 13 times higher eutrophication potential per litre. Almond milk does use more blue water in California, but overall dairy's footprint is larger.

Myth: Cage-free eggs solve hen welfare

Cage-free eggs don't solve hen welfare. The label only means hens aren't caged; it doesn't ensure space, enrichment, or outdoor access. Studies show cage-free flocks can have higher mortality and keel bone fractures due to perches and large group sizes. True welfare requires lower stocking density, enrichment, and management that goes beyond the label.

Myth: Cows Are Needed to Keep Grasslands Healthy

No, cattle are not needed to keep grasslands healthy. Wild herbivores like bison, controlled burns, and mechanical mowing can maintain grassland ecosystems effectively. Scientific evidence shows cattle often cause overgrazing, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss, while carbon sequestration claims are overstated and cannot offset methane emissions.

Myth: Dairy cows need to be milked or they will suffer

No, dairy cows don't naturally need human milking. Like all mammals, cows only produce milk after giving birth and adjust supply to their calf's demand. The "need" to be milked arises only from selective breeding for extreme yields, which creates painful engorgement if milk isn't removed—a human-made problem, not a biological necessity.

Myth: Fish don't feel pain

No, fish do feel pain. Scientific consensus, based on nociceptor studies, behavioral responses, and physiological indicators, confirms that fish experience aversive sensations. The old claim that they lack the brain structures for pain is outdated and contradicted by modern research from institutions like EFSA and AVMA.

Myth: Free-range means the animals are happy

No, 'free-range' does not mean the animals are happy. It's a marketing label that only indicates some form of outdoor access, with no legal standards for space, duration, or quality in most countries. Welfare depends on management, not just the label, so look for certified higher-welfare labels or choose plant-based options.

Myth: Grass-fed beef is climate neutral

No, grass-fed beef is not climate neutral. Life-cycle assessments consistently show that grass-fed beef has a carbon footprint equal to or higher than grain-fed beef due to longer lifespans and greater methane emissions. Soil carbon sequestration offsets only a small fraction of emissions, and land-use opportunity costs make the climate claim invalid.

Myth: Humans need meat to be healthy

No, humans do not need meat to be healthy. Major health organizations, including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, confirm that well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are nutritionally adequate for all life stages. With proper planning, including fortified foods or supplements for nutrients like Vitamin B12, plant-based diets meet all needs and may reduce chronic disease risk.

Myth: Leather is only a by-product

No, leather is not just a by-product. Hides are valuable co-products that generate billions in revenue, making animal farming more profitable and encouraging more animals to be bred. While a single hide may come from an animal already slaughtered for meat, the demand for leather drives the overall livestock industry, contradicting the harmless by-product narrative.

Myth: Lobsters can't suffer

No, lobsters can feel pain. Scientific reviews, including a 2021 UK government assessment of over 300 studies, conclude that decapod crustaceans are sentient. They exhibit nociceptors, protective reflexes, avoidance learning, and stress responses, indicating suffering. The precautionary principle supports treating them as capable of pain, prompting ethical choices like avoiding lobster consumption.

Myth: Local meat beats imported plants

No, local meat does not beat imported plants for the climate. Production emissions, not transport, dominate the carbon footprint of food. Beef and lamb emit 60 kg CO2e per kg, while plant proteins like tofu and lentils emit under 3 kg. Even with long-distance shipping, imported plants remain far lower in emissions than any meat.

Myth: Male chicks are no longer killed

No, male chicks are still killed in the vast majority of egg production globally. Only a few European countries have bans, and less than 0.5% of global egg production uses in-ovo sexing. Most eggs, even in wealthy markets, still come from systems that cull male chicks at day one.

Myth: Plants don't provide complete protein

No, plants do provide complete protein when eaten in variety. Your body pools amino acids from all foods across the day, so you don't need to pair specific foods at every meal. Major organizations like the WHO and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics confirm plant proteins fully meet human needs.

Myth: Silk production doesn't harm insects

Silk production does harm insects, contradicting claims of cruelty-free ethics. Conventional sericulture kills around 10,000 silkworms per kilogram of silk by boiling or steaming cocoons, while even 'peace silk' involves stressful rearing conditions and high mortality. Scientific evidence strongly supports insect pain perception, making this myth false.

Myth: Soy causes hormonal problems in men

No, soy does not cause hormonal problems in men. Decades of randomized controlled trials, including a 2021 meta-analysis of 38 studies, found no effect on testosterone, estrogen, or fertility. Isoflavones bind to estrogen receptors 100-1000 times weaker than human estrogen and are safe at normal dietary amounts.

Myth: Vegan Diets Are Dangerous for Children

Vegan diets are not inherently dangerous for children when properly planned, supplemented, and monitored. Major organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics confirm they can be nutritionally adequate at all life stages. However, unplanned vegan diets without B12, vitamin D, and iodine supplementation carry real risks, making professional guidance essential.

Myth: Vegan food is always more expensive

No, vegan food is not always more expensive. While processed vegan substitutes like burgers and cheese can cost more, whole plant foods such as lentils, rice, and beans are significantly cheaper than meat and dairy. A 2023 Which? analysis found a whole-food vegan basket cost £1.20 less per day than an omnivorous one, saving £438 annually.

Myth: Wool is just a haircut

Wool is not just a haircut; it's a commodity produced through practices that often cause pain and distress. Most sheep endure mulesing, rough handling during shearing, and eventual slaughter. Ethical wool exists only in rare, small-scale operations, making the 'cruelty-free' label misleading for the majority of commercial wool.

Myth: You can't get enough iron without meat

You absolutely can get enough iron without meat. Plant-based foods like lentils, tofu, and spinach provide ample non-heme iron, and the body boosts absorption when stores are low. Pairing with vitamin C and using simple cooking strategies ensures adequate intake, making anemia no more common in vegetarians than meat-eaters.

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