Eating meat, but not as much

We have spent time examining alternatives to meat in our diet, not to eliminate meat completely (at least for me), but to have a variety of protein options. And red meat can be a nice complement to the plate with a few strategic ideas.

"When buying meat, select lean cuts such as sirloin, flank steak, eye of the round, beef tenderloin, lean and lean and extra lean ground beef, pork tenderloin, and center cut pork chops. ... If you eat red meat, cancer experts advise eating less than 18 ounces per week. Limit your serving size to no more than three ounces. To help reduce portion size, enjoy small amounts of red meat in stir-fries and pastas. When having steak, serve it in thin slices rather than as a whole piece." -- Dietitian Leslie Beck in The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada)

That doesn't sound like fun. Though in reducing heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which are linked to colon issues, she suggests a small portion size, "cook at a lower temperature, and marinate your steak (ingredients in marinades reduce the formation of HCAs)." In other words, medium-rare is better for you than well-done, and marinades help.

Chicken and turkey offer health advantages over red meat. A little bacon never hurts. Meat can be a part of your meal plans if that is what you want. Just rethink portion size and how you use meat.

Asking people to give up meat, or dairy, or any of a number of "bad" food areas isn't practical. Some will completely give them up, but reducing the intake is helpful, especially if enough people get involved.

Comments

[Junel]

Thanks for the tips. Well i'm a fun of eating meat. I eat as much as i could. You post makes me wanna slow and follow your diet. :D