Meat can be a healthy part of your diet if you choose the right type and prepare it correctly. Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of other nutrient sources, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts and seeds. Diets that rely too heavily on meat might not supply all the nutrients your body needs and also might be too high in calories. If you're unsure whether your diet is healthy, consult your doctor or nutritionist.
Protein
One of the major benefits of eating meat is the protein it can supply. Animal products are complete proteins, which means they supply all the essential amino acids. Plant products, on the other hand, typically lack one or more essential amino acids. The average person should consume about 50 to 65g of protein a day, according to MedlinePlus. Meat can be a healthy source of protein in your diet, though you also should include protein-rich beans, nuts and legumes.
Provides Energy
You need calories to survive, and meat can be an important source of energy. However, one problem with eating too much meat is the amount of fat you'll have in your diet. Fat makes meat taste good, but too much saturated fat raises your bad cholesterol levels, leading to an increased risk of heart disease. The keys are to moderate your meat intake, choose the right types of meats and prepare them the right way.
Types
The exact amounts of fat and calories you'll obtain depend on the type of meat you're eating. On the low end, skinless poultry, fish and other lean meats have relatively low amounts of saturated fat. On the high end, fatty cuts of beef and skin-on poultry have relatively high amounts of saturated fat. Also, they might supply too many calories for a healthy diet. Whenever possible, choose lean cuts of meat. Lean pork and lamb cuts include loin chops, leg and tenderloin. Lean beef cuts include chuck, round, sirloin and tenderloin.
Maximizing the Benefits
Grilling, broiling or baking is much healthier than frying. Before cooking meat, trim the fat. You can leave the skin on while you cook poultry, but remove it before eating. To return some flavor to lean, trimmed meats, tenderize them with low-fat marinades, such as wine, lemon juice or soy sauce. Add herbs and spices for extra flavor. After cooking, drain away any fat and rinse the meat with hot water, if necessary.
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