Fashionable Nutrition Myths: A balanced meal must have meat

Myth: A 'balanced' meal must have meat

The culturally entrenched idea that a 'balanced' meal includes meat is a tough one to talk about, because most people LOVE meat - or at least they think they do. From very young we are taught to see meat as a sign of prosperity, and to value it above the other 'cheap' foods like vegetables, grains or starches. We see a meal that includes meat as 'complete' and any meal without meat as a side dish or snack.

What's strange about this is that there is very little reason for humans to eat meat as regularly as we do. Some people in the nutrition industry believe we don't need it AT ALL. This is a VERY different perspective to the popular one that dictates that we need meat as often as possible.

Bacon is a breakfast meat, cold cuts or chicken for lunch and a steak for dinner is the very picture of a successful life in popular culture.

Why?

Well, there's a pretty giant industry that wants your money, and their business is selling you meat.

So DO we need meat three times, or two times, or even ONCE per day? NO! Once per week is probably a more BALANCED number. And think about it... If you were in the situation where you had to hunt, catch, kill and butcher your own meat how often would you manage? Think it'd be simple to catch a buck every day? Think again...

Your body needs some of the nutrients in meat, but most - if not all of these - can be obtained from other foods. You can save money and be healthier by cutting down your meat consumption. Try it.

Do two or three days per week meat-free and take it from there. Just be sure to replace meat with fruits and vegetables, not crisps and sweets.

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