Of all meats, red meat is the most hotly debated. Some nutritionists say that red meat is crucial to brain and body function and a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals. Others say that red meat is harmful to your body and the environment.
Yet, no matter what side of the debate you’re on, you can’t deny that red meat is high in calories and linked to many types of disease. You might even be thinking about giving it up altogether in 2021! If that’s the case, or if you’re curious as to what may happen to your body should you decide to change your diet, read on to learn a few things on the subject.
You might feel less bloated.
Your body digests red meat more slowly than other foods, thus creating excess belly bloat. Interestingly enough, a 2015 study published in the journal Nutrition Research found that vegetarians had lower rates of inflammation than meat-eaters.
Your cholesterol levels may drop.
If you have high cholesterol, take note: eating less red meat can reduce high cholesterol levels. Red meat is high in saturated fat and can contribute to potentially life-threatening plaque buildup in your artery walls. This can lead to coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, stroke, and more.
You may have more energy.
Feeling a little sluggish lately? Eliminating red meat from your diet can increase your energy. Swapping red meat for healthier foods, like beans, plant-based fats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, will benefit your entire body and result in higher energy levels.
You may need to take nutritional supplements.
Protein isn’t the only nutrient you’ll lose when you stop eating red meat. Red meat is also rich in B vitamins and iron. Though you can supplement your diet with other B vitamin and iron-rich foods, like tofu, fish, and eggs, experts recommend taking a supplement to make up for the possible deficiency.
You may lose some weight.
Red meat is calorie-dense – so, if you stop eating it, you may very well lose some weight. This is especially true if you decide to go with a vegetarian or vegan diet. Vegetarians are proven to lose more weight than meat-eaters, and vegans shed more weight than non-vegan vegetarians.
It’s always exciting to spice up your daily routine with something new! That’s why Avenue 80 Apartments in Overland Park, Kansas encourages you to try out our weekly recipes, crafts, and lifestyle tips.