Also, like chicken, cattle nowaDay s live in close quarters and may be fed more food and more stimulants and antibiotics to prevent infection. Hormones were used commonly for many years, but they are hopefully being reduced due to new laws. And the meat we call veal comes from poor little imprisoned baby cows whose lack of activity keeps their muscles weak, undeveloped, and very tender. They are fed an iron-deficient slosh to keep them anemic, which also makes their muscles (meat) white.

Wild game, such as venison and rabbit, tend to be lower in fats and possibly more healthy to eat because they tend to graze and eat naturally. But then, if we want these we often need, as in olden times, to go out and hunt them.

This is not a serious attempt at building an emotional case against the eating of meat. I am trying to provide a logical understanding of eating in general from a sensible and balanced point of view?and to provide information to help make the right choices.

The medical concerns over beef include increased cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. This may lead to coronary artery disease and heart attacks or strokes. Vegetarians usually have much lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides than meat eaters and also have less atherosclerosis and heart disease. Circulating fats tend to increase arterial plaque formation. Vegetarians also tend to have lower blood pressure. In some epidemiological studies with Seventh-Day Adventists who eat a vegetarian diet, they show a decreased death rate from heart disease and an increased longevity. If they do develop heart disease, it is about ten years later than the average population. Other factors, such as exercise, stress, sugar, and salt in the diet or the eating of more natural foods may also affect these statistics.

Cancer rates are increased with the higher amounts of dietary fats, which many studies relate particularly to colon, rectal, and breast cancer, though the risk of other types of cancer is probably increased as well. The American diet averages over 40 percent fat, much of this the saturated variety. Dietary changes may reduce cancer risks. High-meat diets may also influence kidney disease and osteoporosis, two other very serious diseases of aging.

Overall, the best way to use meat in the diet is to apply the following principles:

1. Eat meat only in moderation. This means less meat than the average Arnerican now eats. Try more vegetarian dishes.
2. When eating meats, try the leaner cuts. For most cuts, trim the excess fat.
3. Especially avoid all the cured meats, such as bacon, ham, lunch meat, sausage, and franks, because of their higher fat content, high amounts of sodium, and cancer-causing chemicals such as nitrates. Chemical-free turkey franks and soy franks are now available as substitutes.
4. When using meats, try them as smaller parts of other dishes, such as casseroles and big salads, or cooked with vegetables such as onions, garlic, carrots, or greens. This helps the meat go a long way in both cost and health.
5. Add more fish to the diet in place of red-meat dishes. This will help cut cholesterol and fats and protect us from cardiovascular diseases.
6. Increase intake of some of the anticancer and disease-protecting nutrients, such as zinc, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and selenium.
7. Eat more fiber foods, such as whole grains and vegetables. This also balances our diet and is protective against the degenerating diseases.
8. Exercise regularly.
9. Do not use meat as a dietary staple. If it is consumed, use it as a special treat or celebration.
10. It is not necessary to eat meat at Al. Try going without it for a month and see how you feel.