We live in a world that is leaning towards being healthy. There are lots of questions and often debates about how to best live for well-being and longevity, and diet is always one of the leading factors being considered. 

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer on what kind of diet is best, which makes things all the more confusing. There has been a mass migration to camp vegan, and vegetarianism recently. The plant-based dieters claim their diet is the healthiest, and best for the planet.  

All the while, the other camp – the meat eaters, also claim that their diet offers the most health advantages through balance and nutrition. 

So, how do you navigate this whirlwind of ideas and choose the right diet for you? 

The answer is: keep it simple.

Firstly, let’s establish some baseline facts: most things in moderation are ok, but excess of anything, even those that are generally good for you, can produce harmful results. 

For example, it is recognised that eating too much meat, particularly red meat is unhealthy, but as part of a balanced diet, red and other meats provide the full spectrum of amino acids that your body needs to develop and replenish tissue. It is hard to get these macronutrients from vegetables alone. 

Remove meat entirely, and you may deprive yourself of these necessary nutrients, which will hinder your body’s capability to regenerate and heal. 

In essence, balance is key. And, if you’re going to include everything (meat and veg), then the best thing you can do is focus on the quality of your food choices. 

That means high-quality meat and fresh vegetables.

How to decide on quality 

If you’re focused on a plant-based diet, or predominantly so, then the cruciferous, or crucial point is to focus on actual plants. We are not suggesting you make like a giraffe, but avoid processed foods that say they are plant-derived because they are still processed and likely to contain excess sugar, fats, and salt. Eat natural ingredients that grow out of the ground or on trees. It’s really that simple. 

If you are a meat eater, then choose only high-quality meat and be more selective about how the animals you eat are treated during their life. This includes their living conditions and diet. Some good options are: 

  • Organic
  • Free range
  • Grass-fed
  • Corn-fed 

We have already enlightened you on the benefits of organic and free-range products in our other blogs, but for those that haven’t read them yet, here’s a summary. 

Must read: Organic v non-organic, is there a difference?

Organic options provide higher-quality meat because the farmers are legally obliged to meet a higher standard of treatment. This includes not feeding the animals hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics. Also, the meat cannot be injected with water. 

Free-range meat requires the animal to spend a certain amount of time outside and have ten times the amount of space of a caged animal. They also live longer too, which lets the animals develop properly, which of course impacts the quality of the meat that you eat. 

Other things to consider? 

Ultimately, what diet is best for you really does depend on your goals. If your goals are to increase muscle mass and stay lean, then eating meat is proven to support this. Being a rich source of protein and amino acids, also without carbohydrates, makes meat the perfect go-to meal ingredient. 

If you are looking to aid digestion and improve your gut biome, then vegetables are definitely, the direction you want to be headed. The same applies to your vegetables as it does to your meat: select organic options where possible, and avoid the mass-produced type that you find in most supermarkets. They tend to be underdeveloped and contain less of the vital nutrients that your body relies on. 

Let’s not forget the power of legumes, beans and grains. They are also a rich source of protein and contain many micronutrients. Despite being carbohydrate intensive, you are less likely to put on weight if you eat them because they don’t have the same effect on your blood sugar levels as potatoes, bread and refined products.

Beans, legumes and grains are also a great side dish to your meat and vegetables. 

Conclusion 

Whatever your goals, balance is key. The quality of what you eat is just as important, if not even more so than what type of ingredients or food groups you include or eliminate. Organic options provide a better quality product and are better for your health. 

Grass and corn-fed products are also better for you and the environment. If the food you eat enjoys the earth as nature intended it to, then your body will likely respond well to it. 

High-quality meat should be non-negotiable. Investing in your diet is to invest in your health.