4 Reasons To Eat More Meat During These Unprecedented Times
As we move ever onward into the future, it seems inevitable that for humans to thrive on this planet we will need to return to ways of being more in alignment with the rhythms of the earth. There’s evidence that factory farming is a breeding ground for not only potential viruses that could turn into pandemics, but also undeniable environmental harm and unethical practices. Increasing the demand for more grass fed meat helps to improve soil health, return balance to our ecosystems and create a more sustainable way of being for ourselves and our children.
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1. Science Suggest Meat Can Help Build Immunity
Pasture raised meat is particularly high in vitamins and minerals that help to strengthen the immune system. It’s rich in B vitamins essential for healthy immunity, including B12 which vegetarians have no choice but to supplement. Studies have shown that those following a vegetarian or vegan diet have a lower antibody response than people who eat meat. Minerals like copper, zinc and iron are all found in their most bio-available forms in meat, with particularly high levels present in pasture raised animals.
There’s evidence from studies done at the University of Graz in Austria that vegetarians are more likely to suffer from allergies, asthma, diabetes, osteoporosis, anxiety, depression, and a plethora of other ailments. Research also suggests that they are more likely to get sick with contagious illnesses.
Especially during a pandemic, it’s incredibly important to maintain physical robustness and resilience. Eating meat is one of the most helpful things we can do to bolster the immune system and prevent ourselves from getting sick when it matters most.
Also Read: Eating Meat: It Made Us Human, And Makes Us Smarter
2. Healthier Brain Function = More Balanced Emotions
It’s safe to say that none of us expected any of the events that have unfolded thus far in 2020. The coronavirus, the protests, the politics, and the uncertainty of what might happen next. Now more than ever, it’s important to take care of our emotions and mental health as we continue to experience new and unfamiliar circumstances. By taking care of our own emotional health, we’re better able to support those around us and adapt to our constantly changing environment.
Pasture raised meat is extremely rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients are physical building blocks of healthy brain tissue and directly increase serotonin levels. In a study done on pregnant women, omega-3’s helped significantly to reduce anxiety. Furthermore, the abundant quantities of zinc, iron and B vitamins have been shown to help stabilize mood.
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3. Meat Can Help Increase Energy Levels
Vitamin B12 is extremely important for healthy energy levels. Like I already mentioned, it’s impossible to get adequate B12 from a plant based diet. Our bodies are designed to live in alignment with nature and absorb nutrients the most easily and efficiently from direct and unaltered sources.
That’s why taking in B12 from meat is so much more beneficial than taking it in supplement form to force a vegetarian diet to work. Iron is essential for energy levels and is found in meat in the highly bio-available form known as heme iron. Although people have attempted to replicate heme iron through synthesizing plant based sources, it’s impossible to reproduce that which comes directly from nature.
When life is throwing curveballs like nothing we’ve ever seen, having good energy levels is something that can make the difference between riding the waves and wiping out completely. Eating quality, pasture raised meat can offer a huge advantage for our coping abilities during these trying times.
When I started eating meat again, I was astounded by the difference in my energy throughout the day. I was used to being fatigued nearly all the time and didn’t realize that it was so unnecessary for me to feel that way. Nowadays, I aim to eat meat twice a day and have never felt better. Of course, these benefits are only possible with high quality, responsibly sourced meat.
Also Read: The Future of the Environment Depends On Grass-Fed Beef
4. Grass Fed Meat Is Good For the Planet
You’ve probably heard the conversation about how eating meat harms the environment. Here’s the thing - it’s only true of factory farmed meat. Grass fed meat is actually beneficial and necessary for our natural ecosystems. If you think about it, this makes perfect sense. Picture pastures of cows grazing leisurely in the sunlight, living as nature intended. When stewarded by conscientious farmers, they exist in harmony with the living earth around them. Industrial meat, on the other hand, is a bleeding, infected wound on the well being of the planet.