The Unhealthiest “Meat” You Can Eat
There’s nothing wrong with eating plant-based foods. In fact, they’re great for your health.
But make no mistake… they’re no substitute for the nutrients you get from meat.
That’s problem #1 with vegetarian diets.
Problem #2 comes when people add in foods that pretend to be meat.
You’re not only missing out on all of the health benefits of REAL meat. These imposter “meats” could actually be doing your health more harm than good
It’s one thing to avoid meat.
It’s another thing to eat foods that pretend to BE meat.
The texture alone is often enough to make you barf. And if you do end up losing your lunch, thank your body for rejecting it.
Plant-based meats are high in sugar (they must be to make them palatable). They also lack critical nutrients, including vitamin B12, iron, and zinc.
When it comes to your health, these nutrients are NOT OPTIONAL. They’re vital.
- Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to your tissues.
- Zinc is necessary for a robust immune system.
- B12 is critical for red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, and nerve function.
In fact, rather than falling in the “meat” category—or even the “vegetable” category—plant-based imposters fall into the “ultra-processed” foods category.
That’s a BIG problem. Because eating a lot of ultra-processed foods is linked to an increased risk of cancer and early death.
Fake meats have been hiding behind the lie that they’re a “health food” for far too long. It’s time to acknowledge the harm they can do to your health.
I DON’T advise cutting meat out of your diet. But, if you decide that’s what’s right for you, always choose REAL foods to take its place, like legumes, beans, eggs, chickpeas, nuts, and dark leafy greens.
P.S. Research has uncovered a culprit that increases your risk of colon cancer by nearly 30 percent. It’s something you’ll want to avoid, no matter your age.
SOURCE:
“Nutritional Composition and Estimated Iron and Zinc Bioavailability of Meat Substitutes Available on the Swedish Market.” Nutrients 2022, 14, 3903. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14193903
