A self-proclaimed "carnivore," the type of person who grew up on meat and potatoes, may be so used to eating a heavy, meat-filled meal, that he cannot imagine another type of diet. Cutting meat from a diet may be difficult at first, but can done incrementally to both save money and reap a variety of health benefits. According to the American Heart Association, people who follow a "traditional Western diet" filled with red meat and foods high in fat are subject to many more health risks that those who cut a significant portion of meat from their meals.
Lower Risk for Serious Illness
People who eat small amounts of meat, or no meat at all, may be protecting themselves from serious illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. According to a study conducted by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and reported by the UC Newsroom in 2008, red meat consumption may be linked to an increase in the occurrence of cancerous tumors. The connection point is made through inflammation--cancer may be provoked or stimulated by inflammation. People who eat red meat are more likely to develop antibodies to an acid called Neu5Gc that is present in meat, which can cause the body's immune system to react with chronic inflammation.
Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is another medical concern that may be lowered or eliminated by cutting meat from the diet. Many types of animal products, including red meats in particular, are high in cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic states that vegetarians, who do not eat meat, tend to have lower cholesterol readings, which lowers their risk for heart disease and stroke. The average person does not have to cut out meat completely, but should drastically scale back the amount of animal proteins she eats to reap these health benefits. The Mayo Clinic suggests eating no more than 3 oz. of meat during any given mealtime and trying to eat at least two meatless meals each week.
Other medical conditions that may be less likely to occur in people who do not eat meat are gallbladder disease (including gallstones), gout and kidney stones.
Stabilization of Vital Signs
Eliminating meat from the diet can help some people manage their health by way of stable vital signs and blood levels. The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C., explains that vegetarians generally have lower blood pressure levels than their meat-eating peers, a lower risk for insulin resistance and type II diabetes (thus, more stable blood sugar levels), and better management of asthma.
Economical Meals
Incorporating meatless meals can have a beneficial effect on the pocketbook, as well as a family's health. Most types of meat and poultry can be expensive, especially more choice cuts of meat. Feeding a large family can quickly outstrip the food budget if meat is the central element of dinner. Cutting back on meat to make it an accompaniment--using a pound of ground meat to add flavor to a large lasagna, for example--can stretch resources more economically than preparing a separate steak for each family member. Alternate sources of protein for people who are ready to completely forgo meat can include inexpensive options such as eggs, canned or dried beans, and soy-based products like tofu.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Meatless Meals: The Benefits of Eating Less Meat
- Mayo Clinic: How Meat and Poultry Fit Into Your Diet
- American Heart Association: Dietary Patterns and Risk of Mortality From Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and All Causes in a Prospective Cohort of Women
- Mayo Clinic: Mediterranean Diet: Choose This Heart-Healthy Diet Option
- UC Newsroom: How Eating Red Meat Can Spur Cancer Progression
Member Comments