Eating just three fewer burgers a year could help improve the lives of farm animals, according to the RSPCA.
The charity says a small reduction in the amount of meat and other animal products people consume could have a significant impact on animal welfare.
New research from the University of Lincoln suggests cutting animal product consumption by 3% each year could spare almost one billion land animals from lower-welfare farming by 2050.
Based on average national consumption, the RSPCA says a 3% reduction could mean eating three fewer burgers or two fewer steaks a year.
Alternatively, it could amount to seven fewer sausages, three fewer pork chops or four fewer chicken breasts.
The findings are being highlighted ahead of World Farmed Animal Day on Friday 2 October.
Emily Harris, Campaigns Manager at the RSPCA, said: “Small, easy, everyday choices can make a real difference.
“This doesn’t require big restrictions or giving up favourite foods – it starts with small, achievable shifts. Together, savvy choices add up to really impactful results.
“It is easy to doubt whether one person’s choices make a difference, but savvy shoppers have genuine power through the choices they make.
“Small adjustments add up and send a clear message to the food industry and create a profound real-world ripple effect for farm animals everywhere.
“If everyone made tiny adjustments to what they eat, new research tells us that one billion animals could be spared from lower-welfare farming by 2050.”
The research also suggests a 3% annual reduction could save up to three billion wild-caught fish used for animal feed.
It could also free millions of hectares of land for nature and wildlife and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
The RSPCA is encouraging shoppers to reduce the amount of animal products they buy and choose higher-welfare options when they do.
It is also urging people to check food labels, warning that terms such as ‘British’, ‘English’ or ‘Welsh’ do not necessarily mean higher animal welfare standards.
The charity has launched an online food impact calculator to help people work out their own reduction target.
