Conflicting Stories on Meat Consumption and Health

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-nutrirecs-study-claiming-that-red-a-plant-based-diet-is-the-healthiest-choice/

The internet is an interesting place full of stories, opinions, and unfortunately, conflicting information. One can research the same topic and find hundreds of articles from opinions to professional rebuttals or support for a specific topic making the internet a dangerous place for sourcing information if you are unsure of what you're looking for. 

A recent article published by NutriRECS claims that despite overwhelming evidence pointing to increased risks of cancer from processed meats and red meats, there's no need to cut down. The team concluded that based on how much of these products the average European / American consumes, they are not in danger of these effects and therefore, there is no need to reduce consumption. Their information is extremely misleading and refuted by several professionals including the World Health Organization and Cancer Researchers across the globe.

“Abundant evidence has shown the health risks of red and processed meat. Despite their limitations, these new studies have indicated these same risks, suggesting that consumption of red and processed meats should be discouraged. The contrary guidelines offered by these publications are inappropriate,” the organization warned. “To the extent they are publicized, they are likely to harm public health efforts.”
​Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

How is it that we can find two different answers from two different industry professionals that are directly contradictory and even deeper, who do we trust?

I think the question here is whether or not a vegetarian / vegan diet is indeed healthier or if eating a standard diet including regular meat consumption is the right way to go. Frankly, I think there are so many answers to this question but to boil it all down, eating more fruits and vegetables is most definitely the healthier option even just based on nutritional information.

I am not a health professional whatsoever so this is solely my opinion but an opinion that I've researched over time and feel comfortable discussing. Growing up, we were always told to eat as much fruit and veggies as we could correct? We were always told that we should be substituting fruit or veggies in place of salty or sweet snacks like candy / chips for example. This insistance on eating more fruits and vegetables is rooted in the knowledge that fruits and vegetables contain a plethora of health boosting antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins, without excess fat, cholesterol, and sugars. These are facts.

Meat contains many unique vitamins and minerals but often times comes at a cost. That meat is full of artery clogging cholesterol and often high in fat. Depending on how this meat is prepared, it could be slathered in sauces, coated in crispy coating and fried, or dripping in butter, all of which ups the fat, sugar, and salt of these meats. While we can also prepare vegetables in an unhealthy manner, they come from a naturally healthier place. 

In the case of proteins, it is proven we can ingest enough protein and crucial vitamins from a well balanced plant based diet so that argument is not applicable. One cannot argue that eating more vegetables and less fatty meats is less healthy. One cannot argue that the antioxidants from fruit and veggies are imperative to a healthy immune system. One cannot argue that vegetables do not contain nearly as much fat, sodium, or cholesterol as meat contains. Simply put, vegetables ARE healthier than a meat forward diet.

Look, there are many unhealthy vegetarians or vegans out there, it's about balance. Am I telling you that someone who consumes only fish / chicken along with vegetables in droves is unhealthy? Not at all. I am however saying that there cannot be an argument that eating more fruits and vegetables is somehow unhealthier than eating more meat, it's simply not rooted in facts. 

The most important thing to remember is that the more fruits and veggies we consume, the better off we'll be. If those out there can cut out the processed meats and reduce their red meat intake in place of more vegetarian options and an increase in consumption of fresh veggies, it's my opinion they're better off.

What do you guys think?

HAPPY VEG