Should I give up meat altogether?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the consideration of giving up meat entirely due to concerns about high cholesterol levels. Participants explore dietary choices, the impact of meat on health, and alternative approaches to managing cholesterol through diet and lifestyle changes.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a long-standing love for meat but is considering eliminating it due to cholesterol concerns, noting a recent discovery about chicken's cholesterol content.
  • Another participant suggests considering fish as an alternative, although the original poster mentions limited fish consumption.
  • A participant advises avoiding farmed fish and emphasizes the importance of managing saturated fat and sugars, alongside exercise, to lower cholesterol.
  • Some participants argue that eliminating meat may not necessarily lower cholesterol levels, citing examples of vegans with high cholesterol.
  • There is a suggestion that genetic factors might play a significant role in cholesterol levels, indicating that dietary changes alone may not be sufficient.
  • One participant shares their personal experience of giving up meat for a decade and gradually reintroducing small amounts of white meat into their diet, while maintaining a focus on fruits and vegetables.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the effectiveness of eliminating meat for lowering cholesterol, with some suggesting it may not be necessary or effective. There is no consensus on whether the original poster should give up meat entirely or adopt a more moderate approach.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the potential influence of genetics on cholesterol levels, suggesting that dietary changes may not address the underlying issues for everyone. The discussion includes various dietary strategies and personal experiences without resolving the complexities of cholesterol management.

gotem3303
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So ever since I was a little kid (Im 23 now) I've had higher than normal cholesterol levels, and I am considering giving up all meat (beef, chicken, fish) and want to get some other peoples opinions.

Now, I love meat. I can't say I eat A LOT of meat, but I definitely have it at least once a day (usually for dinner) and can't remember a day in my life where I didnt. I eat all meat but tried always to focus more on chicken because I thought it was so much healthier than other meat.

Recently I found out that chicken has the same amount of cholesterol as red meat. This sucks because this whole time I though I was doing really good by trying to eat mostly chicken. Pretty much the only reason I am considering giving up meat is because of the cholesterol. I could care less about the fat content and treatment of animals and things like that.

Should I give up meat altogether? I haven't eaten meat in a week and a half and it hasnt been TOO hard yet since there are some good meat-like things from morning star and boca burger that arent that bad actually. I've definitely saved money from going out to lunch everyday at work and I am trying to eat more vegetables too. But at the end of the day, I love meat and was wondering if you think I should really give it up altogether or just eat it more in moderation. Is it really THAT bad for you?
 
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How about just fish, the other white meat?
 


drankin said:
How about just fish, the other white meat?

Im not a big fish eater though. Maybe I have tuna once in a while but that's pretty much the extent of it.

I like it, but its just too hard for me to make usually and would rather settle for something else.
 
Fish is very good (just try to avoid the farmed ones)
You would be wise to avoid saturated fat and simple sugars to lower your cholesterol (although you need saturated fat in your diet). Exercise is very important.

If your cholesterol problems are really that bad I would consider writing out your entire diet and fitness routine and go through and fix that rather than completely eliminating a food group.
 
You could give up meat, and have your cholesterol levels stay the same. I know several Vegans who have high, bad cholesterol levels. You should consult your Doctor for the best way to lower your bad cholesterol and ways to raise the good cholesterol levels.
 
hypatia said:
You could give up meat, and have your cholesterol levels stay the same. I know several Vegans who have high, bad cholesterol levels. You should consult your Doctor for the best way to lower your bad cholesterol and ways to raise the good cholesterol levels.

yep, it not only meat that make cholesterol levels high---I'm sure there's web pages that discuss it
 
If your cholesterol levels have been low even since a very young age, it's unlikely that your diet is the cause. For some people, it's more of a genetic issue than a dietary one, and means they're also more of a candidate for cholesterol-lowering medications rather than dietary changes.

Of course, HOW MUCH meat do you eat? Once a day could mean you're eating just a small chicken cutlet broiled or baked, or it could mean you're sitting down with a half of a chicken deep-fried in lard. If you're really just having a small serving of meat, then that's not the source of your problem.
 
what else could you change besides diet? exercise? lose some bodyfat?

also, you might find Dr. Davis' Heart Scan Blog interesting: http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/
 
Giving it up totally, is fine. I did it for 10 years. I'm now 20. I have slowly let some meat back into my diet, mosly just white meat chicken, but occationaly a few other meats, in very small portions. I've always been big into my fruits and veggies though.
 

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