Protein is a crucial component of any healthy diet, especially if you’re aiming to shed weight for the summer. Protein is required by your body for a variety of tasks, including digestion, muscle building and repair, and boosting energy for workouts.
Certain forms of protein, however, are better than others. In fact, doctors caution that, while red meat is abundant in protein, it can be detrimental to your general health if consumed in excess because it is high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and sodium. It may potentially result in consequences such as heart disease.
Fortunately, there are several leaner, healthier protein sources that can still feed your body for weight loss. We spoke with Trista Best, a nutritionist at Balance One Supplements, to discover more about an alternative lean protein you can eat. She informed us that poultry (such as turkey and chicken) is a lean protein that is always a good choice for weight loss. Read on to find out more!
Risks Of Red Meat
So, what exactly are the dangers of eating too much red meat? Excessive red meat consumption, according to Best, can lead to heart disease and obesity. “The main diseases associated with a high red meat diet are heart disease and obesity,” she explains. “This is due to the high saturated fat content of the meat, which leads to an increase in cholesterol, artery blockages, and triglycerides.” Consuming too much red meat can also cause digestive disorders such as gut inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome.
Although not all fat is unhealthy, the saturated fat contained in red meat poses a number of health hazards. “Saturated fats lack a double bond between the individual carbon atoms that connect the fatty acids,” Best adds. “Unsaturated fats have at least one, and sometimes more, carbon atoms that provide a connection.” Yikes!
Swap Out Red Meats For Lean Proteins Like Poultry
Instead of red meat, Best recommends substituting poultry. Lean proteins like chicken and turkey give significant protein levels without the health hazards and fat load of red meat. “Poultry, including chicken and turkey, are excellent sources of protein,” she says, adding, “they are unique in that they can be prepared in a variety of ways to keep their fat content low.” Grilling, baking, and roasting are just a few examples.”
Fortunately, you can do almost anything with poultry that you can do with red meat! You may prepare grilled chicken (the healthiest way to cook this meat), ground turkey for tacos, turkey burgers, and turkey bacon. When you consider all of the health benefits of this simple shift, we believe it’s well worth it to cut back on red meat and at least try some lean poultry a few times a week.
While poultry is Best’s top recommendation for lean protein, there are plenty additional foods to consider. She also recommends including other lean proteins into your regular diet, such as Greek yogurt, tofu, eggs, salmon, and others.
The Bottom Line
So, if you want to keep your heart (and your entire body) in good form, you should limit your consumption of saturated fats as much as possible. Instead, you can improve your general health by making healthy substitutions such as choosing chicken or turkey for red meat. You can add grilled chicken to your meals, replace your breakfast cereal with eggs, or have a cup of Greek yogurt for dessert. The possibilities are numerous.
