The Benefits of Eating Meat and Poultry

Eating a well-balanced diet is essential for your overall health. Your diet should not only include fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but Dr. Ali Ghahary also recommends making sure you’re eating enough meat and poultry.

Along with fruits, vegetables and grains, meat and poultry are great for the diet because they contain protein and amino acids that are crucial for good health. Red meats, pork and poultry are also rich in iron, and are three essential food items you’ll want to include in your diet, especially if you’re low on iron. Signs that you might be iron deficient include fatigue, weakness, pale skin and headache. For some individuals, just these foods alone aren’t a strong enough source of iron, so you may need to turn to iron supplements. However, bear in mind that iron supplements can sometimes be hard on the stomach.

Compared to other proteins, high-quality meats have also been shown to prevent muscle loss. As we age our bones and muscles begin to decrease in strength, putting you at risk of developing sprains, strains, fractures, or even breaks. Eating meat along with consuming enough calcium will help strengthen your bones and muscles, therefore decreasing your risk of suffering any serious injuries. To help with bone strength, you should also make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D, B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.

If you suffer from diabetes, having a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein can also help control blood glucose levels – for example, beef, pork and lamb. Being diabetic, it’s always important to pay attention to what you’re eating and check your blood sugar regularly. You should try not to consume any more than 3 ounces of protein per meal. Click here for more tips from Dr. Ali Ghahary on diabetes and healthy eating, include tips on how to eat healthy this holiday season.

Lastly, if you’re looking to lose weight, low-carb and high protein diets that include poultry and lean meats have also been shown to help promote weight loss and help with weight management.

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