How often for red meat?

[Lynsey]

You know how you always hear that you shouldn't eat red meat more than twice per week? Is that based solely on dietary concepts that contradict the Atkins way of eating? (meaning low fat) Or are there other harmful things in red meat that we should be aware of while doing Atkins? I eat red meat almost daily, and just got to wondering if there was something besides the fat content that I should be concerned about. Thanks in advance.

[LooseShoes]

Re: How often for red meat?

I live in the middle of cattle country and I eat a lot of red meat, too. The doctor says I'm anemic, so I use that as my excuse to keep eating it.

There have been some studies that have been interpreted as saying that eating too much red meat can increase your risk of cancer. I've heard that grilling outside and having the black stuff on the meat is carcinogenic.

Personally, I don't put a lot of stock in most of the studies--I've seen too many of them reverse a few years later. I do try to not burn my meat and to cook it at a healthy temperature.

Other than that, something's going to kill me sooner or later, and I love red meat--I'm going to enjoy my life and do what feels good to me.

[Grant]

Re: How often for red meat?

Only thing I can think of is concerns over iron levels. Red meat does have a lot of iron and too much of it can be bad for you but unless you are also taking a vitamin that adds extra iron, or you are eating massive quantities of liver every day, then it really shouldn't be a concern.