Benefits of eating red meat

You can associate red meat with a food that is out of the limit. Eating red meat has been discouraged because many cuts are high in cholesterol and saturated fat. Red meat can be part of a healthy diet, as long as you choose the right cuts. Roast meat, steak, tenderloin and 95 percent ground beef offer all the healthy options, or you can choose the bison as a lean red meat option. Adding one or two servings of fresh or organic lean red meat to your weekly diet provides many vital nutrients to the body.

Provides proteins
A 3 oz. Serving of red meat supplies about half the protein an average adult needs in a daily diet. The protein that is obtained from red meat contains all the amino acids needed to build muscle and repair tissue. Muscle mass is essential, since it gives you the ability to be physically active, and also produces enzymes and hormones that help prevent diseases. Protein has also been linked to weight loss, since it satisfies hunger and maintains that sensation for hours after eating.

Provides iron
The Institute of Medicine recommends that women consume 18 mg of iron a day and men 8. Lean red meat provides a good amount of iron, depending on the cut of meat, and contains a form of iron more easily absorbed than iron in herbal foods. Adding red meat in the diet once or twice a week can help you consume the amount of iron the body needs so that the red blood cells carry enough oxygen to all other parts of your body. Iron deficiencies can contribute to learning problems, lack of energy and behavioral problems. A 3 oz. Serving of ground beef without fat provides 2.4 mg, and a serving of roast provides 2.6 mg.

Contains zinc
Another benefit of lean red meat in the diet is that it provides a good dose of zinc. Zinc from food is needed because it helps build muscle mass, strengthens the immune system and helps promote a healthy brain. The average person needs 15 mg of zinc a day. A 3 oz. Serving of ground beef without fat contains 5.5 mg of zinc, and a loin serving contains 6.2 mg.

Provides B vitamins
Lean red meat is a natural source of B vitamins. Eating foods that naturally contain B vitamins is important, as it helps promote a healthy body. Lean red meat contains B12 for a healthy nervous system and B6 for a strong immune system. Red meat also contains niacin, another vitamin B that aids in digestion, as well as riboflavin for healthy skin and eyes