As much as the study has indicated an increased risk of diabetes with red meat, experts agree that demonizing food groups is not the answer to a healthy and balanced diet.
“The takeaway is not that red meat is forbidden, but that overall dietary pattern matters most. A way of eating centered on legumes, nuts, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, and fermented dairy, with red meat eaten occasionally rather than daily, is consistently associated with better metabolic health,” Routhenstein said.
Cutler said it was important to create a dietary plan that both helps prevent diabetes and maintains adequate protein intake.
“Substitution of alternative dietary components, particularly plant-based protein sources, poultry, dairy, eggs, or whole grains for total, processed, or unprocessed red meat would be beneficial,” Cutler said.
“And studies suggest these substitutions will lower the odds of developing diabetes. Other protein sources, such as fish and other seafood, are also healthier substitutes for red meat,” he added.
