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Expert Opinion

What do the experts say?

Nutrition Task Force

"Lean meat plays, and should continue to play, an important part in the national diet."
"Eat Well" - Nutrition Task Force, 1994

Family Heart Association

"There are many misconceptions about meat, not least about its fat content. Meat is much lower in fat than many people suppose, but opt for lean cuts, trim any visible fat and use low fat cooking methods. Lean meat (trimmed of all visible fat) typically contains less than 10% fat of which only half is saturated, the rest is largely monounsaturated plus some polyunsaturates.

There are now many new very lean cuts of meat on the market which contain even less fat -between 3 and 5%."
Dr Michael Turner - Family Heart Association, 1995

Dr Hilary Jones

"A patient of mine, recovering from a heart attack was terribly depressed at the thought of having "a boring life-long diet" imposed on him by the specialists. He soon perked up again when told he could still look forward to lean cuts of red meat however. When discussing diet with my patients in the surgery, I am amazed at the extent to which they misunderstand the nutritional benefits of eating meat. At home, we make sure the children eat healthily. We want them to have a tasty, varied and concentrated source of protein, vitamins and minerals (particularly iron) within a balanced diet. So we regularly enjoy beef, lamb, pork and poultry."
Dr Hilary Jones - GMTV and SunDay magazine doctor

Scottish Heart and Arterial disease Risk Prevention - SHARP

"SHARP is pleased to endorse the message that lean red meat can be enjoyed as part of a low fat diet."

Royal College of Nursing

"We are concerned about the incidence and effects of iron deficiency in the population generally, and in particular among women of childbearing age, teenagers and toddlers and we are alerting our members to this information."
Sue Hinchliff - Vice Principal, Royal College of Nursing

British Dietetic Association

"Lean meat can be a nutritious part of a healthy varied diet."
Jane Eaton - Chairman of the British Dietetic Association

British Nutrition Foundation

"Red meat is a good source of iron which the body can easily absorb. It is also a good source of other important nutrients such as zinc and protein, and it is reassuring to note that the fat content of red meat has reduced over the last few years."

Health Promotion Wales

"Meat can play an important role in a healthy diet."

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