Eating mostly plants with a little meat gives you all the health benefits without the heart risks.

Pro

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (2)

Community contributions welcome

Effect of Including Lean Red Meat in a Plant-Based Dietary Pattern on Biomarkers of Cardiometabolic Disease Risk

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

This study found that eating up to two servings of lean beef per day while mostly eating plants didn’t make people’s blood markers for heart disease worse—so it’s okay to include a little meat in a plant-based diet without hurting your health.

8. “Fish, chicken, lean meat and eggs can be eaten daily”: a food-based dietary guideline for South Africa

Narrative Review

This study says eating small amounts of lean meat, chicken, fish, and eggs with plants is healthy and helps fill nutrient gaps — which matches the claim that this kind of diet is good for you without raising bad cholesterol.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

Similar Assertions

A dietary pattern emphasizing whole plant foods with moderate inclusion of lean animal products provides adequate protein, fiber, phytonutrients, and healthy fats while minimizing atherogenic risk factors.

86%

If you eat half your protein from plants and half from animals, you’ll get more fiber and healthier fats than if you get most of your protein from meat—plus, your bad cholesterol levels will be about the same as if you ate mostly plant protein.

84%

People who eat mostly plants like vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts tend to have lower levels of the 'bad' cholesterol in their blood, probably because these foods are full of fiber, antioxidants, and good fats.

80%

If you swap meat and dairy proteins for beans, nuts, and grains in your diet, your good cholesterol (HDL) and fat levels (triglycerides) won’t change much—so the health perks of eating more plants probably come from lowering your bad cholesterol instead.

80%

Eating mostly plants like vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains can help lower bad fats in your blood, which might keep your heart healthier and reduce your risk of heart disease.

77%