A new report released Monday claims the science is clear: Eating too much meat is bad for your health.
The so-called Meat Eater's Guide, compiled by the Environmental Working Group, is generating buzz for its "cradle-to-grave" look at the environmental impact of 20 popular types of meat, dairy and vegetable proteins. But it also emphasizes the potential health impact of eating too much meat, recommending that people to cut back to decrease their risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
"The goal is to really make this information accessible to consumers," said Kari Hamerschlag, an agriculture analyst with the research and advocacy group. "On the health side, we really pulled together all of the information and tried to make it as clear as possible that there's not just one reason to limit meat consumption; there are a whole host of reasons."
The report, which weaves together statistics from various earlier studies, allows that meat can be an important source of protein and vitamins when eaten in moderation. But in the U.S., moderation may be a problem. The report cites data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization suggesting that Americans consume almost 60 percent more meat than their European counterparts, and four times more than in many developing countries. And much of that meat is either red or processed.
The health effects of this, the EWG report claims, are myriad: A 2009 report from the National Cancer Institute found that people who ate the most red meat -- which can have high levels of cholesterol-rising saturated fat -- were 27 percent more likely to die of heart disease. That same report also found serious meat eaters were 20 percent more likely to die of cancer than those who consumed the least amount of meat.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/18/cut-back-on-meat-new-repo_n_901554.html
Comments
Check out bodybuilding.com there is plenty of Vegans and Veggie Bodybuilders. I actually ran into many when I was lifting back in the day. I was 195 (170 now) about 5 years ago or so. I remember lifting with a dozen of Vegans and Veggie bodybuilders. I also read many articles about professional bodybuilders on bodybuilding.com.
Here in Colorado, organic meats are readily available, but in very limited quantities.
That's interesting. I've been to bodybuilding.com before, but tended to stay away from it after all the talks on supplements like they were necessary. It made me think that body building was expensive. So I preferred to do it the old school natural way. But I'll look into it and see what their vegan/vegetarian diets are like that still lets them maintain their bulk, thanks.
And definitely do your research!
The only time I go to Whole Foods it to find some odd ingredients I need for Thai cooking. I've never looked at their meats...guess I should...but when I look at their produce and sometimes find prices nearly double from regular food stores...can't quite swallow that when I've yet to see anything conclusive that natural foods makes a true difference in life expectancy, etc.