Is eating meat healthy?
In light of recent studies that associate meat eating with poor health and imminent death this can be a confusing topic.
The saying ‘you are what you eat’ rings true but considering recent headlines it’s not so much about what you eat but what you eat, eats.
Picture a healthy animal, raised with the best intentions for health and longevity. You’re probably picturing something like this..
- Free roaming…
- Grass fed…that is what they are meant to eat isn’t it?
- Free from added hormones…why would they need them?
- Free from antibiotics…why would they need them?
Unfortunately, this model is not economical in the world of productivity and profit so the picture may take a turn to something less fortunate for the health of the animal, looking more like this…
- Restricted movement…for greater numbers and reduced energy expenditure.
- Grain and soy fed…for greater size and weight (in the form of fat).
- Added hormones…for quicker growth or prolonged lactation.
- Added antibiotics…for protection from illness and greater yield.
Generally speaking, meat contains a dense source of nutrients like fat soluble vitamins A, E, D, K, iron and B vitamins, and provided the animal is grass fed it will also be rich in anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fats. As you can see however, the picture extends beyond this, and when considering your healthy meal plan, it now becomes a question of how healthy is this animal and to what degree is this animal actually…unwell?
While there are many other worthy conversations around eating meat, they are a little off topic in relation to this short clip that caught my attention this morning.
Regards,
Colin
