The Red Meat Debate
Health experts disagree as to whether a
meat based diet is an optimally healthy
one. People who consume a diet mainly
based on fruits, vegetables, whole
grains and beans have lower rates of
cancer, heart disease and bone loss.
Hormone implants in beef artificially
raise hormone levels in cattle. Further
concerns are high concentrations of
pesticides in the fat of meat and dairy
(like dioxin and other pesticides that
are estrogen mimickers).
According to one theory, type O blood
types need more protein usually animal
protein, to thrive. Some claim that
type O people tend to feel unhealthy
and low energy on strictly vegetarian
diets.
Several of the popular diets depend on
high protein consumption usually from
meat and dairy. Finally, many people
have cultural traditions around meat
consumption.
Beef
- High amounts of complete protein.
- Contains B vitamins including
vitamin-B-12.
- Contains potassium and phosphorus.
- Contains moderate amounts of vitamin-A.
- Beef liver rich in nutrients especially
vitamin-A, vitamin-B, and iron but also
concentrates toxic chemicals unless
organic.
Pork
- High protein content and other
qualities similar to beef.
- Ham and bacon have high sodium and
additive levels.
- Must be well cooked because pork more
easily infected with bacteria and
parasites.
Lamb
- High protein content.
- Moderate fat content.
- Usually antibiotics and hormones not
used in raising lamb.
Organic Meat
- Always preferable as no hormones
antibiotics or other chemicals used;
preferably free range.
- Wild game like deer, rabbit, mouse free
of hormones and antibiotics, usually
less fat.
Ethical Considerations
- Twenty vegetarians can be fed on the
amount of land required to feed one
meat eater.
- Sixty million people could be fed on
the amount of land, water and energy
freed from growing grains and soybeans
to feed livestock if Canadians reduced
their intake of meat by only 10
percent.
- Crowded and cruel conditions in which
livestock are often raised.
Rules For Meat Eaters
- Eat only lean meats.
- Trim away all fat.
- Avoid cured or smoked meats including
lunch meat, sausages and hot dogs with
their high salt content and cancer
causing chemicals.
- Use meat only in moderation, not as
main staple.
- Eat more high fibre foods like fruits
and vegetables to compensate for low
fibre meat.
- Add more fish to your diet.
