Due to the ever-rising meat demand, some types of meat have been introduced that are not the best for your health. These types of meat may not be safe as they are obtained from animals treated inhumanely and fed unhealthy chemicals and foods. At the same time, other types of meat are highly processed. However, at Grutto UK, we only sell high-quality meat that is beneficial to your health.
In this article, we will look at some of the types of meat bad for your health.
What Are The Types Of Meat That Are Bad For Your Health?
There are several types of meat that are bad for your health upon consumption. They include:
- Chicken
- Processed and Fast Foods
- Wild Game
- Fish
- Red Meat
1. Chicken
Chicken is among the most common types of white meat. Even though people label white meat as “good and healthy,” this is not always the case with chicken. The raising and slaughtering standards for chickens are lower than cows, sheep, and goats. Chicken has the highest arachidonic acid levels, and its fat gets easily converted to eicosanoids.
2. Processed and Fast Foods
Processed foods include most ground meats, fast and prepared foods, and most lunch meats. They make up the majority of meat sources available, making it quite challenging to avoid them. Most studies find negative effects arise from the consumption of highly processed meat.
Prepared foods such as pre-packed burgers, fast-foods, or lunch meats normally have added sugar, flour, and chemicals as fillers. The most nutritious meats, such as organ meats, also have added chemicals.
3. Wild Game
Some people hunt wild animals for their meat, from the big game like elks and deers to small animals like rabbits and pheasant. Sadly, most of these wild animals are under constant exposure to environmental toxins from different chemicals.
For example, animals that drink water from polluted ponds and other water sources and feed on chemically treated vegetation, such as lawns, are poor food choices. Even though these wild animals’ livers are the most toxic organs, their muscle meat can be toxic as well.
4. Fish
Nutritionists recommend that you should eat at least two weekly fish servings. Fish is an excellent source of proteins and has many health benefits., Fish such as oily cold-water fish provides beneficial fats to the human body.
However, due to the rise in pollution, many waterways and oceans have become contaminated. Consequently, the fish have become polluted too. Moreover, most people destroy heat-sensitive oils in fish like salmon by overcooking (it is advisable to eat these fatty fish cooked rare or raw). These heat-sensitive oils have DHA and EPA that are good for you as they enhance your health.
In general, bigger fish have more toxins as compared to small fish. Therefore, it is advisable to reduce the rate at which you eat big fish and increase the rate at which you consume small fish. Furthermore, other fish such as swordfish have relatively higher levels of mercury; thus, you should be cautious about the rate at which you consume these types of fish.
5. Red Meat
Red meat gets its name from the colour of the meat when it is raw. It comes from the muscles of mammals, including:
- Veal
- Goat
- Beef
- Lamb
- Pork
Disadvantages of Eating Red Meat
Below are some of the disadvantages associated with eating red meat:
It is Relatively Expensive
Red meat is relatively expensive than other vegetarian sources of proteins such as tofu, nuts, and beans. For instance, you can save $1+ if you replace an omnivore meal with a vegetarian one.
It Can Cause Cancer
A study conducted grouped processed meats in the same category as alcohol and cigarettes under level 1 carcinogens. Red meat was grouped under probable carcinogen – level 2a. The report concluded that one increases the absolute risk of colon cancer if you consume red meat equal to two bacon slices every day.
It Affects Cardiovascular Health
Red meat has high cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attacks.
As we have seen above, there are numerous types of meat that are bad for your health. It is advisable to reduce the rate at which you consume unhealthy meat types instead of consuming the types of meat that are good for your health.
Plant Versus Animal Protein
Meat is a source of protein, but it isn’t the only source known to man. Protein is made up of a chain of amino acid molecules that are found in nature, which your body uses to build protein. There are 20 such amino acids; 9 are considered essential, which your body cannot make. Thus, you need to incorporate them into your diet. The other 11 are considered non-essential as your body can produce them using the 9 essential amino acids.
Animal proteins contain all nine essential amino acids, making them one of the best protein sources. However, some plants have all nine but in limited amounts of one amino acid. For example, beans, peas, and lentils contain low quantities of cysteine and methionine, while nuts and grains contain low lysine.
Despite these apparent deficiencies, you can still get sufficient protein if you eat enough plant protein.
Non-Meat Protein Alternatives
Fulfilling your body’s requirement for protein does not mean eating meat. Growing evidence of research shows that eating more plant-based protein may benefit your general health and heart health. Here are some common non-meat protein alternatives.
Seitan
Seitan is a popular source of protein for vegans and vegetarians as it contains 25 grams of protein per 100 grams, making it one of the richest plant protein sources available. It is made using gluten, and the primary protein source is wheat. It also closely resembles the look and texture of meat when cooked, which is one of its many appeals. Seitan is also a good source of selenium and contains phosphorus, iron, and calcium.
Lentils
Lentils have 18 grams of protein per cooked cup (around 200 grams), making them a great source of protein. You can use lentils in various dishes, from soups to salads and more. They are also a great source of fiber, as only half a cup can provide you with over half of your daily recommended fiber update.
Tofu, Tempeh, and Edamame
Tofu, tempeh, and edamame all originate from soybean, a popular source of protein in East Asian cuisine. Soybean is considered a whole source of protein because it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs.
Tofu is perhaps the most popular of the three and is made of bean curds pressed together. Tempeh, another popular protein source, is made by cooking and fermenting mature soybeans.
Conclusion
It is always good to do background research and determine what food is safe for the body. Studies have shown that each blood type requires a different type of food that can boost the overall body functioning. The same case applies to meat. Always eat meat that does compromise your health.