Buying Meat? How to Make Healthier Choices

ARTICLE AT A GLANCE:

Meat is an excellent source of protein and healthy fat which supports optimal health
Traditionally, lunch meats and conventionally raised meats have been full of fillers and pesticides that cause inflammation, but today, healthy options exist and are more readily available in a variety of delis and grocery stores
When purchasing meat, opt for grass-fed, organic choices

Throughout the years, dietary meat has been controversial within the health community. While once believed to be too fatty or hard on our systems, we now understand that meat sources can provide rich proteins and high-quality fat that support optimal health and functioning. Still, the kind of meat matters, and we encourage our readers to make smart choices about what products they buy.

What To Avoid

Remember that the 2R Protocol means we remove highly-processed foods full of toxins, and nowhere is this more true than with meat. Lunchables may have been a fun treat as a kid, but the sad truth is that these are not healthy for the gut. Avoid nitrates and anything with carrageenan (which causes inflammation) like the plague.

Study the Labels

While it would be nice if we all had the time and resources to raise our own cattle, common sense tells us this isn’t practical. The good news is that most grocery stores and delis carry healthy meat options. Opt for grass-fed, organic beef, and buy locally raised meat whenever possible. Look at the ingredients carefully and go for what is the most simple. You want beef, salt, and maybe some spices. That’s it! For example, major distributors like Trader Joe’s and Costco carry grass-fed, organic, uncured beef hotdogs. Ground beef, chicken, and even decent turkey lunch meats (like Organic Farms brand) are delicious options that don’t wreak havoc on the gut.

*This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a healthcare professional.

References

Elyse Rowe