The Processed Meat Debate: Is It Worth It?

Everyone has different dietary needs, but most people require some amount of meat in their diet. To maintain health, eating unprocessed red meat, especially lean cuts, is not restricted.

Lean, unprocessed meat is an excellent source of Vitamin B12, found only in animal products, with meat offering a particularly high amount. It contains iron, zinc, available proteins, and more.

Due to the high protein content in meat, the amount should be limited — 0.8% of your body weight in protein is the daily requirement. Excess proteins convert into homocysteine, a waste byproduct of animal proteins that the body doesn't need.

Large amounts of homocysteine in the blood can cause toxic buildups and increase the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, inflammation, etc. Therefore, we should reduce the consumption of animal foods and add fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins such as legumes — chickpeas, beans, lentils, and more.

The timing of consuming meat or animal proteins is also crucial. It's important not to eat these in the evening, certainly not at night, as the digestive system struggles to process concentrated foods when weakened.

In every meal with animal protein, it's beneficial to include vegetables, especially leafy greens like lettuce, celery, cilantro, and parsley for proper digestion.

Processed meats undergo preservation changes — fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance taste or extend shelf life, like sausages, deli meats, pastrami (even whole cuts), burgers, kebabs, and other products appearing on shelves.

The technology behind processing meat involves cooking at very high temperatures, including frying in oxidized and toxic oils, smoking, and roasting. This leads to the formation of substances potentially harmful to health.

Additionally, manufacturers focus on product appearance to boost sales. To improve taste and color, flavor enhancers, preservatives, stabilizers, colorings, and other industry-specific substances are added to make the product look appealing and tasty.

Research shows a link between digestive issues and the consumption of processed meat, especially when consumed frequently. Therefore, it's advisable to eliminate all types of processed meats from your diet.

Zohara Sharvit is a NaturopathN.D. and an iridologist with extensive experience in treatment, counseling, and workshop guidance. For a free workshop, call073-2221290