Are Plant-based Diets Better? vs MEAT?

Ever wondered why eating meat has been the lifestyle for most bodybuilders? Is is hard to find a body builder or fitness model from the retro years who were vegan. Is there something about eating meat & fish that make their diet better than plant based diet or is it otherwise?

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It’s Tough to Get B12 and Iron!

Red meat may be high in saturated fat, but it’s also one of the best dietary sources of iron and vitamin B12. Iron and B12 are important for transporting oxygen throughout the body, producing energy, and maintaining a healthy nervous and digestive system. Iron deficiency is the world’s leading nutrition disorder, and vegans and vegetarians are at an increased risk for this condition. While only about 5 percent of meat eaters are B12-deficient, closer to 70 percent of vegetarians and more than 80 percent of vegans show signs of deficiency.

Meat Tastes Good.

A lot of vegetarians and vegans have chosen a plant-based diet for ethical or health reasons rather than because they don’t like the taste of meat. This is one of the reasons why meat substitutes like tempeh and seitan are so popular at vegetarian restaurants. Since meat is a very convenient and widespread feature of most restaurant menus, it can often be difficult for vegetarians and vegans to find substantial entrees that suit their diet.

The Take Away.

So are plant-based diets better? That depends. Well balanced, varied vegetarian and vegan meals have nutritional benefits that may help you live to a ripe old age with relatively few health problems, but it is also possible to follow a “plant-based diet” that is largely junk food. The bottom line is that a variety of nutrients from whole foods will help protect your health, whether those nutrients are sourced from meat, fish, or entirely plant-based goodies.