Red Meat

Red meat has received a lot of bad press in recent years. Scientific studies suggest that due to the difficulty with which it is digested, it can be a cause of prostate cancer and that its relatively high concentration of saturated fat can lead to heart disease in middle age. It is now suggested that you limit your intake of red meat to one or two servings per week. Is red meat really the dietary demon we've been led to believe? Or is this simply a case of gross generalisation?

Firstly, let's look at the issue of fat content. Undeniably, red meat (such as beef steak, mince and lamb) has a fat content higher than that of its white counterpart.

Chicken breast, for example, contains roughly 2.9g of fat in 130g of meat. Comparitively, a fillet steak contains approximately 13g of fat in the same amount. As this is animal fat we're discussing, a large amount will be saturated. The FDA, it seems, are correct about the fat content at least.

Now for the digestive issues. Because the muscle tissue in animals that are farmed for red meat is denser and tougher, the body has much more trouble breaking it down for digestion- which is where the other problems we mentioned stem from. Constipation is quite common in people who over indulge in red meat. However, studies also suggest that it may be the fault of the diner and not the food that causes such issues. Improper chewing may be a factor, but I'm going to guess and say that it's six of one, and half a dozen of the other in this case.

In light of all this negativity, why do people continue to eat such a terrible food? Well frankly, because its brilliant. Red meat contains creatine, which helps to support extended muscle exertion, and zinc which supports the immune system and growth, maintains the integrity of skin membranes and maintains a healthy appetite and libido. It also contains iron, essential for the production of red blood cells. Not to mention the taste!

The problem, it seems, it that people aren't paying enough attention to what they're eating. Carelessly consuming visible fats is always a bad idea, as is eating pre-prepared minced meat and burgers. If you intend to eat a lot of red meat, also include increased amounts of fibre in your diet and opt for the more expensive, leaner cuts if you can.

Finally, consider alternative red meats, such as bison, buffalo or eland meat. All of these are low in fat and can be purchased from the internet at reasonable prices.