In an age of convenience foods and processed meals, it’s easy to lose sight of the essential foods when thinking about our diets. The standard Western diet, laden with dairy, grains, industrially produced substances, and sugary beverages, has contributed to a myriad of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
It’s time to rethink what we put on our plates and take a step back towards more natural, nutrient-dense foods. As a health advocate, I believe that embracing a diet rich in meat for any person while working through several groups of foods may bring about better health improvements.
Why Meat Should Be the Star of Your Diet
Meat is without a doubt one of the most nutritional forms of protein, especially when the animal has been fed and raised properly. It contains all the necessary amino acids that allow your body to function as best it can.
A meat diet provides the building blocks that your body needs to repair muscle, make hormones, and keep your immune system functioning, while dairy, grains, and barley are connected to causing inflammation, digestive issues, and other health problems.
Additionally, a majority of dairy products are over-processed and are hard to digest, therefore contributing to bloating, gas, and other digestive discomforts. Similarly, many grains and barley, while major sources of carbohydrates, come at a cost—most of these constituents contain gluten, a protein that many people cannot tolerate in their bodies
Do Not Eat Industrially Manufactured Substances
Besides avoiding dairy and grain products, it is essential to avoid industrially manufactured substances. Some examples are processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and the many additives that abound in packaged products. These substances have all sorts of harmful fats, sugars, and chemicals that will affect your metabolism adversely and eventually cause chronic diseases.
Sugary and artificially sweetened beverages are probably some of the biggest culprits in modern diets. Maybe you think you make a better choice by drinking carbonated drinks, maybe Coca-Cola Light or others like it that are “sugar-free,” but in fact, they are far from being healthy.
The presence of all sorts of drinks, artificial sweeteners, and other additives can cause damage to your metabolism and health. Energy drinks and sports drinks are not far behind. While these claim to be healthy for athletes, it is found they usually contain lots of calories and sugar.
How to Start Healthy: The Ideal Breakfast
Normally, for breakfast, a major part of the population starts their day with cereals, milk, and jams, thinking they are starting their day healthily. However, such foods have high sugars and carbohydrates that raise blood sugar at first. The spike makes you crash, and very shortly after eating, it leaves you tired and feeling hungry.
Instead, I would recommend a breakfast containing eggs, avocado, and bacon. This combination balances protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients to keep you full while maintaining steady insulin levels. A breakfast like this tends to carry over the benefits of reduced energy slumps and sugary snack cravings from earlier in the day to later hours in the day.
Conclusion
Adding more meat to your diet and less dairy, grains, or processed foods can vastly improve your health. Eat a protein-rich breakfast to keep your blood sugars normal and lower your risk for chronic diseases. Be reminded that not just what you eat but also what you don’t eat leads to overall good health.
References
1. Ludwig, D. S., & Ebbeling, C. B. (2018). The Carbohydrate-Insulin Model of Obesity: Beyond “Calories In, Calories Out”. JAMA Internal Medicine, 178(8), 1098–1103.
2. Estell M, Hughes J, Grafenauer S. Plant protein and plant-based meat alternatives: Consumer and nutrition professional attitudes and perceptions. Sustainability. 2021 Feb 1;13(3):1478.
3. Egger G, Dixon J. Beyond obesity and lifestyle: a review of 21st century chronic disease determinants. BioMed Research International. 2014;2014(1):731685.