| The meat controversy has been raging for years, | | | | Well, it comes back to the misinformation that people |
| with opposing views saying that meat increases | | | | have been fed for years by media sources. In this |
| health problems and the Atkins diet encouraging | | | | case, the misinformation relates to protein. |
| endless steaks but limiting intake of blueberries. | | | | Diets like The Atkins Diet recommend HIGH |
| But what is the truth? | | | | PROTEIN intake, with a strong focus on meat as the |
| And why does the meat debate get as heated as a | | | | primary source of this protein. |
| sizzling beef fillet? | | | | The High Protein Myth is, in my opinion, one of the |
| The problem for many meat eaters is that they are | | | | big contributors to the increase in heart disease and |
| so used to defending their dietary choices to new | | | | cancer... and it's something you should be wary of |
| vegetarian friends and relatives that they respond | | | | when making food choices. |
| defensively as soon as meat is criticised for leading | | | | You are actually in more danger of eating too much |
| to health problems. | | | | protein than not enough! |
| When this is added to the fact that most | | | | While protein is an important part of your diet, foods |
| vegetarians don't make that choice for supposed | | | | that are rich in protein produce an acid when |
| health benefits, but for moral reasons, it's clear that | | | | metabolised. This acid, when lots of high protein |
| this is an emotional subject for all parties. | | | | foods are eaten, can dramatically change the blood's |
| But it's one that needs addressing. | | | | acid pH, which the body cannot tolerate. To |
| The fact is, as a meat-eater, you are twice as likely | | | | neutralize this, the body is forced to use one of two |
| to visit the doctor as a vegetarian. You're also twice | | | | alkalines - sodium or calcium. When the body |
| as likely to be admitted to hospital. | | | | reserves of sodium have been used up, calcium is |
| Many meat eaters, when presented with this | | | | taken from the body. |
| information, explain how they could never cut meat | | | | So, the more protein you eat... the more calcium your |
| from their diets, and how other animals were actually | | | | body loses. |
| placed on Earth for us to eat. | | | | This is bad news for bones, and contributes to |
| Well... I'm not here to debate who should be eating | | | | osteoporosis, a disease that is reaching epidemic level. |
| who... | | | | What can you do to protect yourself? |
| And I'm certainly not in the business of lecturing to | | | | The best thing you can take is to begin focusing on |
| anyone who doesn't want to change what they're | | | | quality of meat over quantity. For a while, chicken |
| doing. | | | | has been described by many as the best meat |
| But if you're a meat eater, you need to at least have | | | | choice, but this is actually not true. When you eat |
| the knowledge to make an informed choice. | | | | meat, have the highest quality meat you can possibly |
| Knowledge like this: | | | | afford. Avoid meat products like complex burgers |
| Your risk of heart disease and cancer - especially | | | | and sausages and choose, instead, organic steaks. |
| stomach and colon cancer - is directly related to how | | | | And a final tip: while fish will provide you with |
| much meat you eat. | | | | essential omega fats, it's important to remember the |
| Your digestive health is also related to your meat | | | | state of the waters that our supply of fish live in. |
| consumption, with a high meat intake being linked to | | | | The fish we are eating contain traces of pollutants, |
| incidences of diverticulitis, colitis and appendicitis. | | | | chemicals, and antibiotics. Limit your fish intake to |
| So, if this is the case, why do so many people | | | | twice weekly. |
| believe meat is an important part of their diet? | | | | |