Benefits of a Meat Diet

Meat gets a bad rap---a meat diet actually has many benefits. According to Johns Hopkins University Medicine, meat is an excellent source of protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals. And meat today is much less fatty and cholesterol-laden than in the past. Beef labeled extra lean has less than 2 g of saturated fat and only 95 mg of cholesterol per serving, according to Johns Hopkins, and pork has considerably less fat than 10 years ago due to changes in the genetic makeup of livestock that produces leaner animals. Expect a meat diet to provide several benefits.

Strong Muscles

The proteins in meat are building blocks for the growth and repair of body tissues, according to the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture. Protein is especially important for strong muscles. "Protein not only builds muscle mass, but it also repairs muscles after exercise," says Elisa Zied, R.D., a former spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and author of "Nutrition at Your Fingertips." Additionally, iron, a mineral found in meat, is part of a protein enzyme in muscles that makes oxygen available for muscle contraction, notes the UK College of Agriculture.

Energy

The iron in meat is necessary for blood to carry oxygen throughout the body for energy, according to the UK College of Agriculture. Anemia, a condition characterized by tiredness, can be caused by insufficient iron in the diet. Plus, the type of iron needed by the blood for energy metabolism is found only in meat, fish and poultry. Additionally, the protein provided by a meat diet serves as a backup energy source when carbohydrates aren't available, Zied says.

Healthy Eyes and Skin

A meat diet provides the body with zinc, a mineral that boosts the health of the eyes. In fact, night vision is dependent on zinc, according to the UK College of Agriculture. Although zinc is available in other foods, the zinc in meat is better absorbed by the body, Zied says. Riboflavin, a B vitamin in meat, also supports normal vision. Want glowing skin? A meat diet may be the ticket. According to the UK College of Agriculture, meat's riboflavin and niacin help the health of the skin.

Satiety

A meat diet will help stave off hunger by making you feel satisfied. This is known as satiety. "Protein is more filling than carbohydrates, so a meat diet may leave you feeling less hungry than a vegetarian diet," Zied explains. Feeling less hungry may prevent overeating and help you to maintain a healthy weight. The University of Kentucky notes that the fat in meat also provides a feeling of satisfaction after a meal. Just be sure to keep meat portions in check. Zied advises sticking with a three-ounce serving of meat, about the size of a deck of cards.

Simplicity

Diets that don't include meat must be carefully planned to ensure proper nutrition. Zied says that vegetarian diets often lack adequate iron, vitamin B-12 and protein, nutrients that are plentiful in meat. Plus, meat has complete proteins, which are made up of the nine essential amino acids the body needs. Few plant foods have complete proteins, according to the UK College of Agriculture. "Vegetarians must eat the proper combination of incomplete proteins to get all the necessary amino acids for a complete protein," Zied says. For these reasons, eating a meat diet is a simpler way to get all the nutrients needed for good health.

Additional Information

To boost the benefits of a meat diet, choose lean cuts of meat. Lean beef includes cuts such as round, chuck, sirloin and tenderloin. The leanest poultry is white meat from the breast with no skin, according to MayoClinic.com. Go with beef labeled "Choice" or "Select" instead of "Prime," which usually has more fat. MayoClinic.com advises using low-fat cooking methods, such as grilling, broiling, roasting, sautéing and baking to further improve the benefits of a meat diet.