Reducing meat and health

[CassKins]

I am 50 and post meno by 2 yrs.
I never liked red meat and last ate it when I was about 19, but have eaten fish and chicken occasionally, on and off over the years.
Due to wanting to reduce costs for a while, I would like to reduce even more, so maybe eating fish 3 times a week and quitting chicken. I love this idea and wouldn't miss it, but could this be a huge drop in iron?

I rarely ate much meat throughout my life and never had any issues there, although back then I never really thought about it. Is it safer to reduce land animal meat after meno?

I hear most of our iron intake is from land animal (heme) and green veg/pulses, although not so much in fish. If I have never experienced issues up to now, am I likely to?

I know no one can fully predict the outcome, but am interested in general. Thanks!

I suspect each body is different

I seem to need red meat ( say 150g) a couple of times a month - I know a vegan who is totally fine

I guess the problem is spotting if something isn't right - I give blood so every few months my iron levels are checked but the feelings of lethargy etc that indicate low iron creep up gradually and so you might not realise what is going on

That's true, thanks. I'm puzzled as to why I never cared when younger and menstruating. It simply never occurred to me then. I practically lived on noodles and cheese sandwiches through most of my 20's

It is harder to metabolise iron from vegetable sources however many people can get sufficient but ensuring they get plenty of vitamin c that helps with the metabolisation.

I was advised I need a supplement though as I struggle to get enough even with meat in my diet, I was advised to eat read meat 3 times a week minimum or take a supplement, we are all different.

I’ve been veggie since 12 without any issues.

It does seem mixed. Reflects what people have told me in real life. I do wonder if I would have known by now, since not eating red meat for 30 yrs.

Have you looked at chicken liver? Dirt cheap where I am, delicious and incredibly rich in nutrients.

I find I can’t go more than a day without pulses and green veg ( as a long time vegetarian). And since menopause I’ve been so into tofu - the only complete vegetable protein - I thought it was the need for protein but it seems also to be high in iron, now I Google it.

Eggs and dairy also help and iron is also in surprising things like dried apricots and prunes.

Ah, I have had some changes in cravings since meno, too! I am similar with veg: my DP barely eats ANY, so we have some pretty hotchpotch meals together. If I don't eat veg for a few days I feel really shit, but it is a fave for me. I struggle to enjoy meat most of the time.
I have been really into fish though since meno, especially oily fish and tuna. Less interested in chocolate but often crave scones or croissants with jam and cream
If only scones were a superfood...

@GrumpyPanda sadly I have never been able to stand the taste of organ meats. God knows what I'd do if I was diagnosed with very low iron. I remember when I was young, everyone used to go on about Guinness, haaah! I never liked that much either.

I'm an omnivore, & won't comment on nutrition.

But, you want to reduce costs.

Fish is about double the cost of chicken per meal-sized portion where I live in UK.

Doesn't it depend on the quality though?
Where I am i can buy a fresh sea bass for £5 and some shitty veiny chicken for £2.50.
It's only my opinion but I do think current meat prices reflect quality.

I paid £9 for two organic breast fillets from Booths last year, it was the best chicken I had ever tasted in my life. Sadly I can't keep that up.
Likewise, I have no wish to return to Tesco's Finest chicken Kyiv at £3.75 with a rock hard crumb and leathery dry meat.

What I do agree with though is that there isn't really a price difference between decent fish or chicken. This is why I've switched to tins

Chickpeas (in meals or hummus) almonds and cashews, amaranth (not sure how to spell it but it's a grain you can get from health food stores), soya beans and raw spinach are all good non-meat sources of iron. I think the richest meat source is oysters? And sardines are supposed to be good too (and pretty cheap).