Short answer
Red meat that comes from grain-fed cows as well as processed red meat should be avoided. Organic grass-fed red meats are perfectly fine to consume in moderation.
Recommended Alternative
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Red meat is a highly nutritious food. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals such as Iron, Zinc, Niacin, Pyridoxine, etc. It also provides a substantial amount of protein for the body. Nonetheless, recent studies are fueling the debate on whether red meat is bad for health or not - especially its link to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
After having sliced through various studies, what we have come to realize is that the red meat we consume today is not what it used to be in term of quality. A few decades ago, animals fed on natural substances that came their way. Today, they are fed with grain-based feeds and injected with various antibiotics and hormones to alter their physical appearance for the sake of profit. These hormones, combined with high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol (occurring naturally in red meats), have been proven to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and bowel cancer.
Other studies have revealed that processed meat, which is meat that has been preserved using harmful methods (curing, salting, smoking, or added preservatives), can also lead to heart disease, diabetes, and an increased risk of cancer. More specifically, the methods used to process meat form carcinogens which damage the cells in the body.
If you are going to consume red meat, moderation is important. The American Institute for Cancer Research has cautioned against heavy consumption of red meat. It is recommended you stay below 500g (1.1 lbs) of red meat per week.
Possible long-term side effects
- increased cholesterol
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heart disease
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diabetes
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cancer
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stroke
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- great source of:
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protein
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vitamins
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minerals
Healthier alternatives
- grass-fed red meats
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non-processed red meats
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white meats
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fish
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nuts
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
BEYOND MEAT Ground
- Plant-based protein
- Soy-free product
- Gluten-free
- Vegan-friendly
- Bulk pack convenience
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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