Surprising Things that Happen When You Eat Less Meat

Lisa Franchi February 16, 2016

Don’t take it wrong - meat is good for your body too. It is a good source of protein which your body needs for many functions, including muscle building. But eating too much meat may not be healthy for you in many ways. First off, red meat in particular, contains lots of saturated fats and cholesterol which can lead to heart disease. Processed meats also contain various chemicals, including nitrate, which may become carcinogenic when heated to high temperatures (such as when cooking). Other carcinogenic compounds found in red meat are the so-called heterocyclic amines.

You need not completely eliminate meat from your diet. As mentioned, it can be good for your health too. But you’ve got to keep your portions small to avoid its health risks. The NHS recommendation for meat consumption is no more than 90 grams of meat daily.

Not only do you avoid the health risks associated with meat once you reduce your consumption. You can also expect to experience the following benefits!

You increase your chances of losing weight.

The first and most obvious benefits of reducing meat intake is that it makes losing weight easier. As mentioned earlier, meat is high in saturated fats which isn’t good for weight management. What you need are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which you can get from whole grains, olive oil, fruits and vegetables. Meat is naturally high in calories so reducing your intake could greatly help you shed excess fats.

Your body will become less acidic.

Too much acid in your body can lead to an array of symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, headaches, and fogginess. To counter acid, eat foods that are rich in alkaline, such as fruits and vegetables, as well as legumes.

Your heart will thank you.

High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. When eating meat, opt for lean choices like chicken or turkey. Get rid of the skin and fats to significantly lower down the amount of cholesterol it brings to your body. Doctors also recommend eating fish at least twice per week. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart.

Your immune system will improve.

The best benefit of reducing meat intake is that helps your body fight inflammation, which in turns lower your risk of developing diseases, particularly the more serious ones like cancer and diabetes.

Tips When Buying/Eating Meat Products

Go for the lean cut.
If you’re buying from the grocery, check the labels and compare.
·White meat’s the better option.
Limit your consumption of processed meat products such as they are typically high in salt, preservatives and other chemicals.
Marinade meat before cooking using herbs and spices. Studies show that this technique reduces the production of HCAs in meat during the cooking process.