Meat Lovers

Happy Monday Darlins!!!
Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend and got to get some physical activity in somehow. I have been going for runs in the morning before it gets too hot. It takes a lot to get out of bed and put on my running shoes but once I'm finished I always feel so much better.

One of my dear friends suggested I blog about meat. I know I personally have tried to be vegan (lasted 10 days) so I understand how hard it is to give up something you love. Unlike a lot of vegans, I gave meat up because of the terrible things they feed the animals (sorry PETA my mink does drag on the floor).... not so much how they are treated.

So if you're unable to give up meat completely (like myself) here are some things you should keep in mind when determining what kind and how often you consume..

Grass-Fed Vs. Grain-Fed Beef
Most of the beef you are consuming is grain-fed which of course is not the best for you. Farmers choose to feed their animals grain because it's cheaper for them, speeds up the maturation process (makes animals grow faster and bigger), and has antibiotics and hormones that also increase growth and fight illnesses. CHOOSE GRASS FED

Restrict your red meat consumption to 3 servings at most a week.
Red meat is: beef, pork, lamb, and goat.
A serving is 85 grams (3 ounces).... which is smaller than a deck of cards

Choose poultry or fish over red meat. Though red meat offers several nutrients, research shows that a diet high in red meat increases the risk of cancer.

Avoid processed meat at all cost!
Processed meats: any meat that is preserved by SMOKING, CURING, and SALTING!
Examples: bacon, ham, salami, hot dogs, and sausages.

Something I found most interesting is that grilling your meat can increase cancer risk. High temperature cooking of muscle meats generate compounds heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that increases your risk of cancer. You can reduce these caner-causing compounds by choosing lean red meat cuts, grilling over medium heat rather than high, marinating your meats with a sugar-free option, and turning your meat frequently.

So when deciding to have that steak or not... make sure its grass-fed, lean, no more than 3 ounces, and paired with lots of vegetables!!!!

xoxo,
Fitbottomedgirl