How Much Should You Eat?
The latest MyPyramid guidelines recommend 51/2 ounces daily for a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. Visit www.mypyramid.gov to see how much you need. Any of the following counts as a one-ounce serving from this group:
- 1 ounce cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish
- 1 ounce lean, sliced deli meat (turkey, ham, beef, or bologna)
- 1 ounce canned tuna or salmon, packed in water
If you prefer red meat, the key is to know the right kind to choose and how to prepare it as part of a healthy diet. Some helpful tips and benefits of consuming meat are available in the next section.
Foods in the meat, poultry and fish group are diverse, but they have something important in common -- protein. The amount and quality of the protein in these foods varies. Animal foods contain high-quality, or complete, protein, which means they supply all the amino acids your body needs to build the protein used to support body functions.
Besides protein, foods from this group supply varying amounts of other key nutrients, including iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin E, and B vitamins (thiamin, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12). On the downside, some of the foods in this group contain higher amounts of fat, saturated fat, and some cholesterol.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of eating meat, poultry, and fish as part of leading a healthier lifestyle. Eating healthy makes your body stronger and can be part of an alternative treatment against various illnesses. Let's get started by reviewing how much is enough for one serving.
