I’m sharing some of the details of why I decided to add red meat back into my diet.
Hello friends! How are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful week! This morning, I have some individual calls and then I’ll take a short walk before picking up the team from school. I hope you have a wonderful day!
For today’s post, I wanted to make a reader request. After some of the direct messages I received on IG about the benefits of red meat, I received a couple of questions about when and why I decided to add it back into my life. OG readers (YAY, thank you!) will probably remember that I was a Pescatarian for a while, a vegetarian, also played with veganism for a while, and didn’t eat red meat for many years. I actually stopped eating red meat when I was seven or eight, started eating it very occasionally during college, and then stopped again for a while.
After a hiatus from eating red meat, I found myself backing off for a multitude of reasons. Our bodies are wonderfully unique and what suits one person may not suit another. The often-maligned red meat is a nutrient powerhouse that, when approached carefully, can offer notable benefits, especially for women.
how and why I started eating red meat again
When I was pregnant with P, I was constantly craving red meat. I told my acupuncturist and she said she needed the nutrients. He recommends ALL his patients eat red meat. So I went home and asked the pilot to make me a steak. You should have seen the joy on his face haha. He went to Whole Foods, he bought some amazing quality steaks and I devoured it all. For me it was a short decision process: I knew I wanted it for a reason, so I decided to listen to my body. I haven’t looked back and it’s now a constant part of our routine. (Just a little note here: I don’t eat pork or lamb and have no desire to eat any of these things. But not for me.)
Why red meat?
Red meat has numerous nutritional benefits and I think it is very tasty. Also, for a while, I ate Beyond Burgers with a thousand ingredients that hurt my stomach (and gallbladder), and now I eat burgers with three ingredients: grass-fed beef, salt and pepper… maybe a little Worcestershire sauce .
Nutrient benefits:
Iron: Red meat contains heme iron, the form of iron that is most easily absorbed by the body. This is critical for maintaining solid energy levels, supporting cognitive function, and preventing iron deficiency anemia, which disproportionately affects women. During menstruation, women lose blood and, with it, they lose iron. Iron that is lost through menstrual blood must be replaced to maintain healthy iron levels in the body. If this iron is not replaced through dietary intake, it can lead to iron deficiency and, in more severe cases, iron deficiency anemia.
Protein powers: As active women, protein is our ally for muscle health and repair. Red meat provides high-quality protein, complete with all the essential amino acids our bodies crave.
B vitamins: Red meat is a treasure trove of several B vitamins, including B12, B6, niacin and riboflavin. These nutrients play critical roles in energy metabolism, brain function, and hormonal balance.
Zinc: Zinc, found in abundance in red meat, is crucial for immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis. A strong immune system is especially vital for women going through different stages of life.
Omega 3: While not as concentrated as fatty fish, red meat provides omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart health, reduces inflammation, and supports brain function.
Comparison of nutrients exclusive to meat:
Now, let’s focus on some nutrients that are absent or less bioavailable in plant-based diets:
Complete Proteins: Animal products such as red meat provide all the essential amino acids, making them complete proteins. While you can combine plant sources to achieve this, it requires careful planning.
Bioavailable iron: Heme iron from red meat is absorbed more efficiently than non-heme iron from plant sources. Combining it with foods rich in vitamin C improves absorption.
B12: Vitamin B12 is predominantly found in animal products. A deficiency can lead to fatigue, weakness and neurological problems, making red meat a major source.
Creatine: Found exclusively in animal products, creatine aids muscle energy production, benefiting those performing high-intensity workouts and challenging strength training routines.
Reintroducing red meat into my diet has been transformative. Increased energy, increased muscle recovery, and a renewed sense of vitality are just some of the notable changes I have experienced. It’s also worth mentioning here that I am very picky about where our meat comes from. We only eat certified organic and grass-fed beef while at home. When I go out to eat, I usually eat fish or vegetarian options. (Unless we’re at Fleming’s house, of course.)
I get almost all of our meat and seafood from ButcherBox because they have very high quality meat. You can check out my full ButcherBox review here and This link gives you $50 off your first order.
Like anything else, I think moderation is truly the key. We don’t eat red meat every day. We have it once, maybe twice a week, and we use excellent sources. In between our red meat dinner nights, we eat fish, chicken, and plant-based meals. Variety is the spice of life and alternating the ingredients you use will also vary the nutrients you get. I think it is beneficial to change your diet and routine throughout the week.
If you’re thinking about reintroducing red meat or adjusting your diet in any way, approach it with curiosity and a mindful perspective. Consult with health professionals to ensure it fits your unique health goals. Nutritional choices should evolve with our bodies. While red meat may not be everyone’s choice, it’s about understanding and responding to your body’s unique needs.
Here’s to embracing what works best for each of us on our distinctive wellness journeys.
xo
gina
