Fortune Well May 8, 2023
Lifestyle
A new report from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has determined that meat, eggs and milk are vital sources of much-needed nutrients, such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates, that aren’t easily found in plant-based foods.
The comprehensive study, which is based on data from more than 500 scientific papers and 240 policy documents, also stated that these nutrients are critical during key life stages, such as pregnancy and lactation, childhood, adolescence and older age.
“Nutrient needs of humans vary substantially over their life course. While there are a variety of dietary patterns that can meet those needs, foods that are rich in nutrients are a critical part of a healthy diet,” FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo and Chief Economist Máximo Torero Cullen wrote in a foreword to the report. “Terrestrial animal source foods provide energy and many essential nutrients, such as protein, fatty acids and several vitamins and minerals that are less common in other food types.”
Some of the crucial nutrients found in animal sources include:
However, not all meats are created equally. The study mentioned that eating even low levels of processed red meat, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs and deli meats, can increase the risk of mortality and chronic disease outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases and colorectal cancer.
Consuming unprocessed red meat, such as beef, pork and lamb, in moderate amounts (between 9 to 71 grams per day), carries minimal risk, but is generally considered safe as it pertains to chronic disease outcomes.
Additionally, the report noted that “the evidence of any links between milk, eggs and poultry consumption in healthy adults and diseases such as coronary heart disease, strokes and hypertension is inconclusive (for milk) or non-significant (for eggs and poultry).”
Food from animal sources are deemed part of a healthy diet and can go a long way toward achieving FAO’s Sustainable Development Goals, such as reducing wasting among children under five years of age, low birthweight, anemia in women of reproductive age, and obesity and non-communicable diseases in adults.
In the report, Semedo and Cullen also wrote that the livestock sector “must contribute to addressing a range of challenges,” including environmental issues; herd management; animal health related issues; human-livestock related issues; and social issues.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
December 20, 2024
Children of baby boomers are set to be on the receiving end of one of the largest generational wealth transfers in history as their parents prepare to bequeath them a … Read more
December 20, 2024
The title insurance industry generated $4.3 billion in title insurance premiums during the third quarter, according to new data from the American Land Title Associatio… Read more
December 20, 2024
When Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps wakes up in the morning, he asks himself how he can be his best self that day, not only for his own mental health, but also for his… Read more
December 20, 2024
When you sell your house, ideally, you want it to go something like this: your house sells for top dollar, you get it sold quickly, and it all goes down without a hitc… Read more
December 20, 2024
December 19, 2024
As someone who loves to host holiday meals, I enjoy letting my creativity run wild by setting the table in festive, unexpected ways.
We Guide Homeowners through the complicated process of selling their home using our 4 Phase Selling Process and 3 Prong Marketing Strategy that alleviates their stress and moves them effortlessly to their next destination. Schedule a 15 Minute Complimentary Strategy Session Today