This is Why You Should Be Eating Meat as Part of a Well Balanced Diet ...

I’m not going to try to sway you if you want to live a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. This article isn’t designed to change your mind. Instead, I want to discuss why meat is a healthy choice for those who choose to eat it. Are you contemplating nixing meat from your meal plan? I hope this article can help you make the decision that’s right for you. Of course, please feel free to share your views on the subject in a friendly way!

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Vitamin B12

There are certain vitamins that you can only get from animal products, including meat. The most important is vitamin B12. Eliminating meat from your meal plan increases the risk of a deficiency. If you decide to forgo meat, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about a supplement to fill the gaps.

Heart Health

Clearly, not all cuts of meat are going to be heart healthy choices. You want to stay away from fatty cuts and opt instead for lean portions. That includes chicken breast, fish and sirloin steaks. Grass fed beef and salmon are especially good choices as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart. Include moderate portions of each for the most benefits.

Builds Muscle

You can build muscle on a meat-free diet, but experts say that it is much harder. Protein is abundant in meat, as is iron, both of which are needed to pump your muscles with oxygen and build them larger and stronger. In fact, many people ramp up their protein intake as a way to get bigger faster. A protein deficiency isn’t super common, but is more likely in people who don’t eat meat.

Helps Control Weight

Before you get too excited, simply adding meat to your diet is not going to have a big impact on your weight. However, adding it as part of a low-calorie and well-balanced diet can assist you in dropping stubborn pounds. Lean meats are filling so you won’t feel hungry soon after eating them and they have loads of nutrients you need for health. Plus, if you replace refined carbs and junk food with healthy pieces of meat, you’re already making a healthy choice.

It Doesn’t Cause Cancer

Some research has linked eating meat to getting cancer, which scared a large number of people away from the meat counter. However, new evidence shows that the cancer risk has more to do with the way meat is cooked than the actual meat itself. For example, when meat is grilled, the black grill marks may contain carcinogens. However, cooking meat in a safe way far outweighs the potential negatives of eating meat. However, processed meats can be dangerous, so stick to fresh options instead.

It Boosts Health

Meat has a plethora of nutrients, including copper, zinc, B vitamins and many others that contribute to good overall health. As long as you are blending meat into a healthy meal plan, you can reap the benefits without worry about the negatives. That means you can’t eat meat only, but should include it with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods. Easy enough, right?

It Tastes Good

Really, what better reason do you need? I save steak as an indulgence food, but it sure tastes wonderful when I have one. Grilled salmon or a seasoned chicken breast are also delicious. If you love meat and don’t have a health reason to avoid it, there is no reason not to enjoy.

Do you eat meat? Why or why not?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

1. B12 is found in soil and dirt from the Earth. It does not come from animals themselves. Nutritional yeast, mushrooms, and fortified nut milks and cereals are all healthier ways to get B12. 2. Meat is meat is meat. It doesn't matter where it's coming from. There is no such things as "healthy" or "lean" meat. Flax and chia, among many other plant foods are great sources of omega fatty acids. 3. You have been brainwashed into thinking you need tons of protein- when in fact, you really only need about 5% of your daily diet to be protein. Of course, you can always build a lot of muscle, if that's what you want (check out Kenneth G Williams, vegan bodybuilding champion). You can get protein from leafy greens, beans and legumes, tofu and tempeh, but milks, hemp, etc. Broccoli has more than double the amount of protein, per serving, than beef. Not to mention, all of these are wonderful sources of iron! 4. Of course if controls your weight if you're not eating enough. It's important to be a healthy weight, but that doesn't guarantee that you're in good health, and that you will be in good health in your future. 5. The number one killer is heart disease- unless you're living under a rock, this is very obvious. Where does heart disease come from? Milk, cheese, meat, eggs, etc. When you're eating these animal bi-products (even in moderation) you're clogging your arteries. You might look and feel healthy now, but your future isn't bright. Because humans are not naturally carnivorous, our bodies do not get rid of all the fat and cholesterol and that is why is stores up in our bodies and clogs your arteries. Studies show a plant based diet can reverse those effects. Note: ALL MEAT IS PROCESSED. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FRESH MEAT. Unless, you are a naturally carnivorous being eating meat fresh, uncooked, right after killing it with your bare hands. 6. The bad in meat (and all other animal products) outweighs the good. The animals you're eating got those nutrients from plants. You can get them from plants, are humans are naturally meant to. 7. "If you don't have a health reason to avoid it" - everyone has a health reason to avoid it. Overall, it's not natural to have flesh sitting before you. Don't believe everyone you are told. Do your own research. I know this was long, but I hope at least one person read this.

I eat a meat eaters diet and I am perfectly healthy. Mentally and physically. I went vegan for a while and I ended up developing an eating disorder because of it. Don't say it works for everyone because o bloody well does not.

Eliza, this article is ridiculous. I agree, poor, lazy research

There are plenty of vegan products that are processed. Do not think it's all do perfectly pure. Those tofu cheeses and hot dogs. Those fortified nut milks. Those soy yogurts and ice creams. Those are made in factories and sealed in plastics. So.... Well, I guess it's just that I don't like those "holier than thou" comments. We are who we are. We eat what we eat. We cannot presume that we are better people because of what we eat. Our beliefs don't make us a better person- our behavior does!

The purpose of animals is to become food. Not ALL animals have this purpose, and though they should be treated with dignity and it should be kept in mind they're living creatures, they are for population control and dinner. You vegans think if you walk up to a bull preaching peace and equality for lol living things it's not going to run your ass down? You're wrong, it's prt of who they are and part of who we are.

I don't think it's right to force ones opinions on anyone and tell them their way of living is wrong. What I stated was my opinion and they way I see things. Regardless of your "research", I'm still going to eat meat and love steak. Just as you love veggies and won't stray from your beliefs just because of me. To each his own...I always say.

Love steaks

Here come the vegans...

Vegetarianism is merciful for the animals. You do not need animal protein. I personally refuse to eat meat to satiate my own pleasure when the animals suffer so much, my conscience won't allow it. Will yours?

There is a lot of incorrect information in this article. Some is okay but overall? Scary.

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