Nutrition with Meat: How Healthy Is a Meat-Containing Diet?

Nowadays, more and more people strive for a healthy lifestyle in harmony with nature. At the same time, there are numerous nutrition trends that often contradict each other. While some swear by vegetarianism or veganism, others claim to have found the answer to all health questions in the Paleo diet or in the carnivorous diet.

Meat consumption is often criticized today for ethical, environmental, and health reasons. However, meat is a food source that has provided humans with energy and nutrients for millions of years. If you choose a meat-based diet, it is primarily important to focus on balance and quality.

Nutrition with meat: Are we naturally meat eaters?

Humans have been eating meat for over two million years. This not only helped our ancestors secure their own survival when plant-based food was scarce but also to evolve further. Evolutionary research suggests that the human brain significantly increased in size thanks to the introduction of meat consumption, leading to rapid human development. For these reasons, many scientists believe that we are naturally meat eaters.

Of course, the meat consumption of our ancestors differs significantly from our modern consumption. While people hunted and prepared the game themselves until a few centuries ago, today we simply and quickly buy meat products at the supermarket or butcher. Moreover, meat was a scarce and valuable commodity for most people in the past, consumed only on special occasions. Nowadays, people in Germany eat an average of 1.2 kilograms of meat per week.

Is meat important for the body?

Meat provides the body with plenty of energy in the form of calories. Additionally, meat products are a good source of numerous valuable nutrients, mainly proteins, fats, various vitamins, and minerals. They are particularly rich in vitamin A and B vitamins as well as zinc and iron. Especially red meat contains large amounts of iron and vitamin B12. Veal and beef have the highest content of iron and zinc compared to other types of meat.

A meat-based diet offers the advantage that the body can absorb iron, zinc, and B vitamins from animal foods better than from plant foods. Meat consumption can thus contribute to the building and proper functioning of body cells. Adequate intake of protein is, for example, very important for maintaining bone density and strength, increasing muscle mass, and numerous metabolic processes.

Which meat is best for the body?

How healthy meat really is depends mainly on the type, quality, and preparation method. Although red meat such as beef, veal, lamb, and pork is particularly rich in nutrients, its increased consumption is often classified as unhealthy by experts. White meat, i.e., poultry, is considered healthier despite its lower content of iron and B vitamins. Highly processed meat products such as sausage, ham, and canned meat are considered particularly problematic. Therefore, it is crucial to choose enjoyment in moderation. When buying industrially produced products, you should also pay close attention to ensure they contain no harmful chemicals.

The type of animal husbandry also has a decisive influence on the quality of the final meat product. It is therefore recommended to prefer products from animal-friendly and sustainable farming. Meat from cattle raised on pasture, which enjoyed natural grass instead of artificial feed or grain, is proven to be richer in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Meat from free-range farming not only has a better ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids but also generally contains fewer residues of antibiotics, other medications, and hormones. Researchers also suspect that increased stress and fear in animals kept in barns can negatively affect the taste of the meat.

How much meat is healthy?

Experts believe that we consume too much meat nowadays. The nutrition recommendation of the German Nutrition Society is a maximum of 300 to 600 grams of meat per week - that is, at most half of what the average German consumes.

Risks of excessive meat consumption

Despite its positive properties, meat can also pose health risks - especially when consumed in excessive amounts. This is partly because meat is rich in cholesterol, which in larger amounts can increase the development of various diseases. Scientific studies suggest that excessive meat consumption can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers such as colon cancer.

Furthermore, increased meat consumption usually leads to less consumption of plant-based foods. Fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based food sources contain secondary plant compounds, vitamins, and minerals that are important for health. Therefore, it is primarily crucial to focus on a balanced, wholesome diet and the intake of all essential nutrients. A one-sided diet, regardless of its form, always leads to an increased risk of deficiencies and can thus cause various diseases. Whether a diet with meat is fundamentally healthy or unhealthy cannot be answered universally - both quantity and quality make the difference.

Beef Jerky: Your protein-rich meat snack made from premium beef

Beef Jerky is a delicious meat snack for in between that fits in any jacket pocket. It is not just any snack but a special taste experience of high quality. For our Beef Jerky, we use exclusively premium Austrian beef from grass-fed animals. We place great importance on the well-being of the animals. This affects both the taste and the nutritional values: Our jerky melts on your tongue and is lean yet rich in valuable omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

The delicious meat snack is also free from harmful additives and other unnecessary ingredients. Our products contain small amounts of sugar, which is important for a pleasant texture. You will definitely find a flavor that suits your personal preferences with us. If you like sweet and fruity notes, Hawaiian Teriyaki is the product of your choice. If you prefer savory flavors, Austrian Style or The Smoky Original is probably made for you!

Frequently asked questions about nutrition with meat

Is meat important for the body?

Meat contains many valuable nutrients such as proteins, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which are very important for health. As long as it is consumed in moderation and of good quality, it can be part of a healthy and balanced diet.

How much meat is healthy?

Nutrition experts recommend a maximum meat consumption of 300 to 600 grams per week. Excessive consumption can increase the risk of various diseases.

Which meat is best?

For health, ethical, and sustainability reasons, it is advisable to prefer meat from free-range farming. This is usually richer in valuable nutrients and less contaminated with harmful substances.