Carrie Underwood loves animals –  but does her diet match her ethical views?

Singer Carrie Underwood has been a self-proclaimed animal lover. In a past interview, she said she could never think of marrying a hunter, leading many to question whether the actor is vegan.

The American Idol winner, who is married to NHL player Mike Fisher, chose to cut out meat when she was only 13.

In her May 2020 book Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life, she explained that after growing up on a farm in Oklahoma, she realized that meat came from the cows on her family’s property.

It was at that moment that she decided to cut out meat from her diet and even started making her own food as a kid.

The environmental impact of animal agriculture is significant, with research revealing that it contributes to at least 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a leading cause of deforestation. Additionally, livestock farming has been recognized as a primary factor in the loss of biodiversity.

This means that an increasing number of animal lovers and environmentalists are following a plant-based diet. Can the same be said about Underwood?

Is Carrie Underwood vegan or plant-based?

The songstress has been very open about her diet preferences. She told Self that she is “95% vegan” and only indulges on special occasions, like at a birthday party.

On the Rachael Ray Show, she revealed that she doesn’t cook meat for her husband. “I’m not a good meat cooker because I’m not a meat eater, so I will do all the veggies and all the sides,” she said.

However, despite her abstinence from meat, Underwood claims she is a ‘wannabe vegan’ because of her love for cheese.

“I think cheesy things are my vice,” she told E! News.

“I try to indulge but be responsible at it. I don’t want to deprive myself of the thing I love the most, but… I try to not overdo it.”

She also eats eggs, especially if she is on tour. Her typical meal includes two scrambled eggs and half an avocado before a concert.

“It gets me through the show without feeling like I ate lots of food,” she stated.

Is it difficult to quit cheese?

A lot of people like Underwood are unable to quit eating cheese, and this is because “[dairy opioids] attach to the brain’s opiate receptors to cause a calming effect in much the same way heroin and morphine do,” Dr. Neil Barnard, founder and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), states.

But, apart from these addictive opiates, which are called casomorphins, cheese is loaded with saturated fat, a major contributor to heart disease. It is therefore advisable to ditch cheese not only for its ethical implications but also for its impact on health.

In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of vegan cheese, with the global vegan cheese market projected to surpass $2.5 billion by 2026.

Many food companies are creating mouthwatering dairy-free cheese that not only taste great but circumvent many of the health, ethical, and environmental implications linked to dairy-based cheese.

These dairy-free alternatives are not only healthier, as they are free from cholesterol and lactose, but they also address animal welfare and environmental concerns associated with traditional cheese production.

Additionally, some studies suggest that plant-based diets may reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. With these benefits, it’s no wonder that vegan cheese is becoming increasingly popular among consumers looking for healthier and more ethical food options.

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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