Cut Down on Meat, Save Money and Improve Your Health

For most of us, meat is a major part of our diets. According to the FDA's food pyramid, we should have three to five servings of protein-rich foods each day, and most of us meet this requirement with meat. But recent research has suggested that the less meat we eat, the better.

Meat is the most expensive food group. All you have to do to validate this is visit any grocery store. It takes a lot of money and work to raise livestock, and these costs are passed on to the consumer that buys the resulting meat. This is one reason why cutting down on meat can be of great benefit to consumers.

Meats give us energy, and they supply us with certain nutrients. But they tend to be high in fat and cholesterol, and many meats and meat products are also high in sodium. These are three things that doctors and nutritionists agree that we should strive to keep to a minimum in our diet. Fortunately, there are other foods that are high in protein, vitamins and minerals that can be substituted for meat.

Still, many people insist on eating meat. Most have included it in their diets for their entire lives, and old habits die hard. But you don't have to cut meat out of your diet completely to realize the health and budget benefits. Simply cutting down on meat consumption can make a big difference. Here are some ways to do so:

* Try to eliminate red meat from your diet. Red meat is high in saturated fat, and studies have linked it to an increased risk of serious health problems such as cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure. If you simply cut this type of meat out of your diet, it could seriously benefit your health.

* Add other sources of protein to your diet. Some of the best include beans and lentils. Protein fills you up quickly and keeps you feeling sated for a long time, whether it comes from meat or another source. And beans in particular are inexpensive, adding bulk and nutrition to your diet without putting a strain on the budget. If you find beans and lentils too bland, you can always add spices to make them more tasty.

* Eat proper portions of meat. Most of us eat portions of meat that are much larger than they should be. Instead of having a steak that nearly fills your plate, try putting fruits and vegetables on your plate first. Fill half of your plate with them, and half of the remaining space with a starch. Your meat should take up no more than the amount of space that's left.

As any vegetarian will tell you, it's possible to eat a healthy diet that's meat-free. But even cutting the amount of meat you eat in half can make a difference in your health and your budget. If you remove meat from your diet a little at a time until you're only eating it now and then, there's a good chance that you will barely notice the difference.