HEALTH
Too Much Meat?
Our Health & Nutrition Expert, Greg Joynt responds to a confused carnivore query
Hi Greg,
Can a man have too much meat? I'm not sure whether I eat too much of the stuff in my diet.
GREG ANSWERS:
Well, yes a man can have too much meat. On the positive side, meat contains high levels of protein, certain vitamins and an abundance of minerals and trace minerals. However meat is high in fat content, sometimes loaded with toxins, hormones and antibiotics. Over eating meat can cause over production of mucous in the body leading to congestion in the nasal area and the digestive tract.
A recent international study of the eating habits of half a million people came to the conclusion that beef, lamb, pork, veal and their processed varieties such as ham and bacon, increase the risk of bowel cancer. According to the study those who eat two portions a day, the equivalent to a bacon sandwich and a fillet steak, increase the risk of bowel cancer by 35% over those who eat just one portion a week. The study also revealed that eating a lot of fibre in the form of wholegrains, vegetables and fruit lowered the risks associated with eating red meat.
SOME SUGGESTIONS:
• VARIETY: Meat is a good source of protein and contains many nutrients but be aware of other sources of proteins such as beans, nuts, seeds, tofu, quinoa, eggs, cheese, milk, fish, lean meats such as chicken and turkey.
• ORGANIC: When buying meat, choose organic when possible.
• PORTION: The size of a deck of playng cards is enough meat to eat at any one sitting.
• INCREASE: veggies, fruits and wholegrains in your diet.
• CHEW: Meat takes quite a bit of time to digest so help out your digestive system by chewing well and taking short breaks during eating a meal.