When you’re told that eating meat is bad for you all your life, it can be hard to break the habit. But as you’ll soon find out, there are more than a few ways in cooking and eating meat can be good for you. Here are just some of the health benefits of a foodie.
Boosts Immune System
When you cook your meat at home, you can ensure that it’s prepared using only healthy and safe ingredients. According to the American Institute of Stress, eating the right diet can help boost your immune system and fight off illness.
Many different types of meats are good for your immune system. All meats contain a high amount of vitamin B, zinc, and iron it can help your body fight infections better. So whether you decide on bison, venison, or beef, you’ll give your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Reduces Stress
When you’re under a lot of stress, eating can help reduce that stress. Whether you’re anxious or need some quick comfort food, a nice juicy steak can be the answer you’re looking for. Few foods are so soothing to the soul that they are cooked using only natural and safe ingredients. So eat your steaks and minimize your daily hassles. You’ll have fewer stressful moments when you eat food prepared by a professional chef. But the benefits are still present when you cook dinner at home.
Prevents Heart Disease
If you’re worried about becoming a heart attack victim, you should be. The American Heart Association reports that people who cook at home more frequently are less likely to get heart disease than those who rarely cook or never cook. This is because frequent foodies are more aware of what goes into their bodies and what they eat. It can help keep their cholesterol levels low. In addition, when you cook at home, you’re more likely to make healthier choices – think whole grain pasta versus packaged snack food, for example.
Reduces Cancer Risk
Eating meat has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer – especially when it comes to stomach and colorectal cancers. This is mainly because red meat contains the amino acid cysteine, which encourages the growth of cells in the stomach that normally only grow in the lining of the intestines. When these cells grow in the wrong place, they can become cancerous. So by encouraging this growth, eating red meat may help prevent certain types of cancer.
Enhances Senses
Whether you like to eat or cook, there’s plenty to enjoy about meat. Not only is it a great source of nutrients, but it can also be a wonderful addition to your senses. When you eat food, taste buds perk up, encouraging you to eat more and therefore becoming an efficient way to satisfy your hunger. And what’s more, smelling food as you cook can enhance your olfactory senses – making you more able to identify and savour the various smells entwined with the flavours of each type of meat.
More Energy
When you eat healthy foods, your body receives the nourishment needed to remain active, giving you more energy. The American Heart Association reports that those who cook more at home tend to have more energy. While eating healthy foods to increase your energy levels is always a good idea, you’ll feel an added boost when you cook them yourself.
Maintains Weight
There’s no denying that weight is a major concern for many people. Whether you want to lose a few pounds for summer or want to maintain a healthy weight for life, you can use your dinner plate as a weight scale to monitor your progress. When you eat lean red meats and vegetables, your body will sense that there’s no energy present, so it will begin metabolizing your food, which results in weight loss. So keep those steak knives poised because the cow is always happy to provide you with protein if you want to shrink a few inches.
Improved Bone Health
We all know that vegetables are great for our bodies, but did you know they’re also good for our bones? After eating the right food for your body – namely proteins and whole grains – your body will start building strong bones. There’s even been evidence that suggests eating meat can help prevent certain types of osteoporosis.
Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia that causes problems with memory and cognition – especially in older people. Though there is no known cause of Alzheimer’s disease, some risk factors can make you more susceptible to developing it. One of these risk factors is malnutrition – resulting in low levels of Vitamin B. Vitamin B helps maintain normal brain function, so deficiency can cause problems with memory. However, just consuming Vitamin B alone won’t prevent Alzheimer’s disease unless you include some fish in your diet.
Helps Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, 16.9 million Americans have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. This is a serious health concern because it doesn’t just affect the people affected – it can also cause serious damage to their bodies. While there’s no known cure for Type 2 diabetes, it’s still a disease that can be prevented with proper diet and exercise. If you’re looking to avoid getting diabetes, you should avoid foods with added sugar, consume plenty of fruit and vegetables while avoiding alcohol, and get enough sleep each night.
Better Quality of Life
Eating healthy and nutritious food is important, but so is making sure that your food is prepared by a skilled chef and uses only essential ingredients. Preparing food at home instead of paying for pre-made and packaged foods has many advantages. Firstly, you know what goes into the food that you eat. Secondly, if you prepare food yourself, you can add herbs and spices to boost the flavour. Thirdly, you’re supporting your community and reducing your food’s carbon footprint by getting your food from a local and independent business. Finally, you know that what you’re eating is fresh and won’t have been frozen or stored – resulting in a better flavour and texture compared to store-bought food.
There’s more than one way in which cooking and eating meat can be beneficial to your health. Not only does it provide you with nutrients, but it’s also the perfect way to reconnect with your body and its functions – both of which can be important aspects of your personal growth as an individual.
