Meat and Nutrition

Abstract

There may be appreciable health implications from switching from an omnivore diet to one containing less meat, such as a flexitarian, vegetarian, or vegan diet. This chapter discusses the impact of foods on human health and wellbeing, as well as the events that occur when foods pass through our gastrointestinal tracts and are absorbed by our bodies. It then considers the evolution of the human gastrointestinal tract and whether we were designed to eat meat or not. The macronutrient and micronutrient compositions of omnivore and meat-free diets are different, which can have important nutritional and health implications. The role of different macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates), micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D), omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibers, and nutraceuticals on human health and wellbeing is therefore discussed. It is often assumed that a plant-based diet is better for our health, but this depends on the types and amounts of foods we eat. A meat-free diet may be more or less healthy than an omnivore one depending on whether you are eating fruit, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains or eating plant-based burgers, French fries, cookies, and potato chips. The concept of unhealthful and healthful plant-based diets is therefore introduced.

Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food.

Hippocrates