Eating Red Meats

Whether or not red meat can be included as part of a healthy diet is one of the most hotly debated topics in the nutrition field. From a purely health-minded perspective, the conventional and naturalist camps are clearly divided.

Should you limit or avoid red meat in your diet?

The mainstream perspective in the United States. Is that red meat should be a very limited part of a healthy diet. This is primarily based on the fact that it contains saturated fat, which the American heart association says is the main dietary cause of high blood cholesterol.

Meanwhile, studies have linked red meat to a number of chronic diseases, including breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease. Conventional speaking, it is because of findings like these that the common healthy diet mantra in the United States sounds something like this. “The less red meat the better”

Red meat does contain healthy nutrients?

There are those who point out that red meat does have some redeeming qualities. “Meat is the single richest source or iron and zinc and contribute significant amounts of vitamins,” says the American diabetic Association (ADA).

Meanwhile, a 3-ounce serving of beef provides 50% of the daily recommended protein, along with beneficial B vitamins. And as for all that saturated fat, according to the “American diet Association” more than half of the fatty acid in beef are monounsaturated the same type of fatty acids found in olive oil and championed for their heart-healthy properties. In addition, approximately one-third of the saturated fat in beef is stearic acid, which is showing to have a neutral effect on blood cholesterol.

That ADA advice is that Americans can eat 6 ounces of lean red meat five or more days a week and still be eating a diet that could decrease cholesterol levels. Surprisingly, they say lean beef is just as effective as skinless chicken when it comes to lowering cholesterol.

If you eat red meat, what kind is best?

There are those in the natural health field who oppose red meat for ethical reasons, and there are those who are fans of red meat. As long as he comes from quality sources.

Conventional meat is typically raised on corporate factory farms that inhumane to animals and unhealthy for you. Animals raised in mass factory farms are pumped full of antibiotics, hormones, and other drugs (about 70% of all antibiotics and similar drugs produce in the United States are given to the livestock and poultry), while being fed an unhealthy mix of pesticide-laden grains.

If you are not the familiar with factory farming practices and what that means for the food you feed your family, the meat you eat: How corporate farming has endangered Americans food supply, is a highly recommended book on the topic. It’s a quick read and one that can help lead to a positive transformation in both big-picture and a personal sense.

When it comes to red meat choosing sources that have been raised in humane, natural ways – which means being raised on pasture, or grass-fed – is the healthier choice, according to many experts. Grass-fed beef has been found to contain less fat and more mega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleum acid (CLA) and other beneficial compounds compared to grain-fed beef.

What about cooking and processing?

Adding to the complexity, the way read meat is cooked and processed can also impact its nutritional value. Process meets are known to be the worst way to consume red meat because they contain a number of additives one being sodium nitrate, a preservative that’s linked to cancer. Also, cooking red meat at the high temperatures such as frying, searing, grilling, or broiling, is also problematic. It’s known to produce heterocyclic amines, chemicals that can cause cancer as well.

Add up all the above and you’re left with a personal decision that only you can make. While some say you’re either off avoiding red meat entirety, others point out its beneficial nutrients , particular when it comes from a healthy humanely raised grass-fed animal. The best conclusion I came up with is to constantly rotate. One day meat, one day chicken, one day turkey, one day fish, one day vegan, and continue to rotate as you wish. I believe a little bit of everything will not cause you any harm as long as its a REAL organic source. Furthermore, to optimize your vitality and lowering your risk of problems in regards to inflammation or intolerance to a food we highly recommend our food sensitivity test (Alcat Test). This test identifies all the foods your body tolerates or does not tolerate well. Ask one of your coordinators for further information.