How Much Meat Can I Eat Per Week?
Red meat can be part of a balanced diet. However, it should be consumed in moderation, on an ad hoc basis. Here we tell you what the current recommendations for meat consumption are.
One of the most frequent debates in the nutrition world is about how much meat you can eat per week. In recent years, we have seen veganism gain ground. This current asserts that it is possible to enjoy better health by completely stopping the consumption of food products of animal origin.
However, science does not support this claim. For her, the consumption of meat is necessary to obtain complete proteins and all the micronutrients that the body needs.
Either way, a healthy diet should be varied, and the foods that compose it should be ingested in the correct proportions. It is therefore recommended to also ingest proteins from eggs and fish, so as not to eat meat every day.
We must prefer white meat to red meat
Some scientific studies show that consuming processed red meat increases the risk of developing certain diseases.
Excessive consumption of red meat could increase the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, according to this article published in The Bristish Journal of Nutrition. However, there is no solid evidence to verify this hypothesis. Further studies on the subject are therefore necessary.
Despite everything, it is better to take precautions and then prefer white meat (3-4 times a week) to red meat (1-2 times a week).
Prefer fish to meat
In recent years, the prevailing belief is that eating fish at the expense of eating meat is a positive habit for general health.
Blue fish contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with anti-inflammatory properties, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Regular consumption of these lipids reduces the risk of suffering from a cardiovascular problem. This is shown by this study carried out during the year 2018.
In addition, fish proteins also have a high biological value similar to that of meat. Marine products are therefore a source of high quality nutrients. They also contain group B vitamins and different types of minerals.
In view of this information, current dietary recommendations invite us to consume more fish. It is advisable to consume white fish about 3 times a week and blue fish twice a week.
When it comes to blue fish, it is important to stress that it is necessary to prioritize small fish, such as sardines, as they contain less heavy metals in their adipose tissue.
We must leave aside processed meats
While there is no strong scientific evidence to say that eating meat increases the risk of suffering from a disease, this does not apply to processed meat.
Processed meats, such as industrial burgers, should be avoided. These foods have low nutritional value and the risks outweigh the possible benefits.
Meat is a food that can be part of a diet considered healthy
Until science indicates otherwise, meat is one of the foods that can be included in a healthy diet. It provides essential nutrients, such as protein, zinc and group B vitamins. These nutrients are necessary for energy metabolism and to prevent anemia.
Despite everything, it is advisable to prioritize the consumption of white meat over red meat. In addition, in recent years, dietary recommendations invite us to prefer the consumption of fish.
Foods from the sea provide high quality protein, as well as fatty acids with anti-inflammatory capacity. These are beneficial nutrients to reduce the risk of developing certain diseases.
In conclusion, keep in mind that to enjoy good health, you need to eat a varied and balanced diet and exercise regularly. These two principles are key to making the body’s physiological responses more efficient.
