How often do you eat meat and fish?

[Lookingforwardtothesummer]

I really reduced my meat consumption a few years ago, was having fish maybe twice a week. Meat just once or twice a year.

Over the last year however, I've started eating more meat as part of plan to try to raise ferritin which is always low.

I feel like I notice more energy the day after I've had red meat. I'd say I have it once a week now, more when I am eating out a lot as DP and I have had to travel quite a bit recently and ate out a lot then.

This weekend I had salmon on Saturday and steak on Sunday and I honestly feel like it's boosted my energy! They are very expensive though and we will have veggie meals now for the next few nights, but will probably eat out again as away later this week.

In general, trying to reduce consumption of meat for environmental reasons is a good thing I know, so I do feel a little guilty that now I'm adding more meat to my diet, it's like I'm going backwards

How much meat do you eat regularly? Do you feel better including it in your diet?

@5128gap I was hoping that would happen to me, I fully expected to be glowing with vitality and full of energy!

But then my digestion has always been good and I never get headaches really. It's just the lack of energy.

2-3 times a week, but I find myself becoming more picky about it where I only get specific types.

Gone off beef for the most part other than the occasional cheeseburger from Five Guys that I have 3-4 times a year. Grilled chicken is a firm favourite as is pan-fried salmon. Pork I enjoy but eat it sparingly, have to have a craving for it. I feel like quality of meat has gone down, but I was never that big on meat to begin with even as a child.

I don't eat meat, mostly becuase I don't like it, I'm nervous about getting food poisoning and its expensive rather than ethical reasons, but the ethical side is a bonus.
But I am quite rubbish at eating enough iron rich foods so I take iron tablets and do have to actively think about what I am eating to make sure I have enough protein - its not hard, I just forget. There are loads of things you can add to your diet that are still cheaper and easier than meat if you want to.

Every day. Usually for lunch and dinner

I don't eat it at all anymore. As long as I'm eating enough beans and greens I feel really good but it took me a while to feel like I'd got it right for me. Cutting out dairy was the game changer in terms of my energy levels.

There are loads of things you can add to your diet that are still cheaper and easier than meat if you want to

I thought meat is very bioavailable in a way that iron rich veg simply isn't though?

I try to do 2 meat, 2 fish and three veggie main meals a week. Lunches are usually veggie, sandwiches, soup, baked potatoes ect, if we do have a meat lunch I would always do a veggie main that day. Breakfasts tend to be yoghurt, cereal, toast and fruit, sometimes we have eggs. This is mostly down to cost though, meat and fish are so bloody expensive. I think we have a fairly health diet, I have a heart condition so am watching my weight and DH was pre diabetic, so we cut down on refined carbs and upped lean protein and vegetables, which tends to be quite pricey.

Venison is good to eat. Deer numbers are absolutely clobbering many of our natural habitats. It's healthy and low fat, hormone free, and none of the environmental damage that say poultry farming causes.

I also like wild boar sausages / burgers for similar reasons, they're great for the natural environment, I like to support the economic market for their reintroduction local to me!

I don't eat fish because imo wild fish stocks are too low and farmed fish is too damaging.

Used to eat meat at least once a day, since last January I've cut down to once a week (well one day a week, I might end up having 2 meals with meat on that day).

Fish I probably have once a fortnight.

I was listening to a podcast the other day where a Dr was talking about how, yes you can get protein from plant/non animal sources but you have to consume a lot more of them to get the same amount of protein, so more calories.

I think though, as is evident from this thread, every one is different in what they need and what works for them and makes them feel good/bad etc.

But here is an example of the differencd in protein quantities:

A three-ounce serving of lean beef contains 25 grams of protein and has 170 calories. Compare that to quinoa, which would require three cups to get to 25 grams of protein, at a hefty 666 calories.

Yes good quality meat and fish are so expensive, it definitely needs to be factored in.

I don't eat either meat or fish. I have no problem with energy levels or iron.

Oh and I really cut dairy to try to reduce the environmental footprint of my dinner. I think dairy inhibits iron absorption too so win win.

I cut back on meat for a few years but then gave up most processed food two years ago and when I started really paying attention to packets, I realised the veggie and vegan alternatives we had been eating were a long way from being healthy.

In a typical week we now have 3 meat meals, 2 fish ones and vegetarian days. Our veggie meals now contain vegetables rather than laboratory ingredients. I have also started eating more red meat after learning about omega 3 and omega 6 ratios.

I try to eat more dark Green vegetables and things that eat dark green vegetables, so wild fish and grass fed beef/lamb. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, most chicken & pork is pellet fed, even if it is organic.

I cant honestly say that I have more energy the day after eating red meat, but I'm definitely less sluggish for giving up processed crap (and reducing sugar and carbs along the way).

I don't think I've ever had venison. I'd be up for trying it sometime.

Once a week tops. If I eat out I will have locally sourced lamb or beef. I don’t enjoy chicken anymore.

I buy frozen fish fillets salmon & haddock and foil bake those with either rice or noodles as a stir fry. Really love tinned mackerel especially in olive oil.

Mushrooms as the ‘meat’ rest of the time. I do enjoy an egg for breakfast.

love lentils and pulses and cheese!!!

I eat lots of fish and seafood, probably 5 times a week, red meat probably twice but I go for good grass fed options.
I have an autoimmune condition that means even with a good diet and prescription strength supplements am really deficient for B vitamins, D3 and ferritin.

Venison is nice - I'd say a bit sweeter than beef. Makes a good stew, and burgers are very tasty.

All of this.

Yes, it does for me.

OP I also try to eat less meat and fish and eat better quality/higher welfare products. Have you tried eating a half portion each time so you can spread them over the week, bulking out with other nutritious foods like legumes, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, etc?

We never cook meat at home, we just have it when eating out or at friends/ relatives houses. The main reason is environmental. We do eat fish and seafood at home though, the impact is a lot lower and it's a compromise.

Never eaten meat or fish (even in womb). Vegan 10 years. My ferritin is 200 (high). Feel fine!

We eat meat (pork/chicken) or fish for at least one meal every day.

More than I used to.
I have osteoporosis and a high protein diet is beneficial. Yes I know you can get protein without meat but I it's harder.
I cooked veggie for all of us when DS was home for six months and so I can do it. I like meat though, in particular red meat. Struggle with fish but eat it sometimes.
Veggie DS is always tired although he's not anaemic as gives blood regularly.

I try to buy free range British meat.

It's around 37 years since I last ate meat. I don't feel that I need it, though it is important to eat well and not rely on processed crap.

I couldn't care less if other people choose to eat meat sometimes, but I'm a bit shocked at the people saying that they eat it twice a day...do they not care about the environmental aspect? Not believe in it? Most people I know are at least trying to cut down.