Is red meat good for me?
Yes, lean red meat is recommended as part of a healthy balanced diet in the Australian Dietary Guidelines. It contains many essential nutrients needed for optimum health: iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and long chain omega-3s. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating Red meat recommends red meat 3 to 4 times a week to meet iron requirements, otherwise, high-iron replacement foods are needed.
Can I eat red meat if I have high cholesterol?
Yes, a number of studies actually show a healthy diet including trimmed red meat can improve cholesterol levels. Red meat trimmed of visible fat has less than 4% saturated fat and earns the Heart FoundationTick of Approval. Visible fat can be trimmed by your butcher or by yourself using a sharp knife.
Can I eat red meat if I have high blood pressure?
Yes, the School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia found a red meat diet can decrease blood pressure. The trial involved 60 men and women with high blood pressure who were placed on either their usual diet or a diet where some carbohydrate rich foods were replaced with 200g lean red meat per day. After 8 weeks, the group which included higher amounts of red meat experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure. This study is part of the mounting evidence showing higher protein diets, which include red meat, can help to lower blood pressure.
Can I eat red meat if I am trying to lose weight?
Yes, lean red meat is a great food to include in a weight-loss diet because it's high in protein and a valuable source of essential nutrients. High protein foods are filling, so you feel satisfied for longer. For more information click through to CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Plan .
How long does it take to digest red meat?
Within 4-6 hours. Meat is made up of protein and some fats which are easily digested and will generally leave the stomach within 2-3 hours. Meat is fully digested within 4-6 hours compared to the dietary fibre found in fruits, vegetables and wholegrains which take more than 2 days. The human digestive system is well designed to digest a variety of foods including red meat, which contains a wide range of essential nutrients, including iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and long chain omega-3s.
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