How Much Meat Should You Eat Per Day?
You might have heard conflicting advice about how much meat to consume daily. Some might advocate for heavy meat consumption, like YouTuber Dr. Baker, while others might suggest cutting it down significantly. This article aims to clarify the right balance, based on various factors like individual needs, activity levels, and health goals.
Understanding Individual Needs
The amount of meat one should consume per day varies significantly based on individual factors such as size, muscle mass, and activity level. A larger person with more muscle mass typically requires more protein than a smaller person. For example, Dr. Baker, a YouTuber known for his high-protein diet, consumes 3 pounds of meat in a single meal, whereas many others might manage with less.
Daily Protein Intake Recommendations
According to dietary guidelines, a sedentary adult needs at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Beef, being a rich source of protein, provides about 27 grams per serving. However, you can also get protein from plant-based sources, but you would need to consume significantly more to meet your daily protein requirements.
Healthy Carnivore Diet
In a healthy carnivore diet, there are no strict limits on meat consumption. The primary restriction is on rabbit meat, which is exceptionally low in fat and can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. Other than this, you should eat to your satisfaction, provided that you do not eat overly large amounts. Many carnivores advise limiting consumption to around 1.5-2 lbs of grass-fed beef a day, consumed as a single meal. This aligns with the protein needs for most individuals and allows for other sources of nutrition to be incorporated into the diet.
Recommended Daily Intake
The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommends 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. This translates to approximately 56 grams for the average sedentary man and 46 grams for the average sedentary woman daily. Consuming more than 90 grams of cooked red and processed meat per day is not recommended, as advised by the Department of Health. Research suggests that reducing meat consumption to around 70 grams per day, equivalent to about three slices of beef, can be beneficial for health.
Vegan Perspective: No Need for Meat
Some people argue that humans do not need any meat for survival and suggest that it is harmful to health. They claim that meat is carcinogenic and can lead to deadly diseases such as cancer and diabetes. However, it is important to note that a balanced and varied diet can provide all the essential nutrients from plant-based sources, making meat consumption entirely optional.
Personal Experiences and Dietary Models
Dr. Shawn Baker, a YouTuber, lives by a diet that consists of 1.5 to 2 pounds of grass-fed beef in a single meal, and does not include any carbohydrates. He finds his health improved significantly, and he no longer requires medication for depression and anxiety. His model of carnivorous dieting can serve as an inspiration for those looking to explore dietary choices that prioritize meat consumption.
Key Takeaways:
Absence of strict meat limits in a carnivorous diet, except for rabbit meat. Recommended protein intake for sedentary adults: 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. No need for meat if a balanced diet from plant sources is maintained.Eat to your satisfaction but maintain a balanced and varied diet to ensure all essential nutrients are met for optimal health.