CALF_News_June_July_2020

20 CALF News • June | July 2020 • www.calfnews.net T eresa Davis, Ph.D., knows her food sciences. She’s with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service nutrition team at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, part of the world’s largest medical center. And she empha- sizes – “there is no evidence that a reduc- tion in red meat will help your diet.” Davis spoke at the International Livestock Congress in March, which was part of the massive Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). Its sessions were completed before HLSR was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic that eventually shut down the nation. Speaking to dozens of U.S. and inter- national college agricultural students and several hundred more from the beef industry, Davis countered any claims that plant-based diets can fully replace beef and other meats in a balanced diet. “Proteins are building blocks of all tissues of the body,” she said.“Essential amino acids are not produced by human bodies, but you have to have those essential amino acids. Animal proteins provide essential amino acids. They pro- vide a good balance of amino acids for good health – but plant-based proteins are deficient in those amino acids.” Animal proteins help the young and old. Humans need about 90 grams of pro- tein per day. But proteins serve the body better if they’re spread out from break- fast to dinner.“We need better protein distribution of about 30 grams three times a day,” Davis said.“That’s important, espe- cially for older and younger populations. “We need to promote more muscle mass as we get older. More protein is needed. Older people need to increase protein intake to compensate for a typi- cal decrease in food intake.” Those who fight being overweight can benefit from a high-protein diet, Davis added, noting that meat promotes lean body mass and helps bodies lose fat mass caused by too many sugars and carbohydrates. “There’s more of a feeling of fullness after a high protein meal,” she said. Animal proteins help prevent stunted growth in children.“Malnutrition is a major global problem,” Davis said, pointing out that about 150 million children face shortness in height due to stunted growth. “About 45 percent of child deaths are due to poor nutrition. Animal-based food promotes better growth and height.” She explained that milk-like products made from soy, almonds or other plants can’t compete with cow’s milk for build- ing growing bodies. “Cow milk improves whole body bal- ance,” she said. Davis noted a diet downside for some, and meat gets blamed for it.“Many who eat high protein meals have poor lifestyles,” she warned.“They eat fewer vegetables, smoke [or have other bad habits]. Red meat can be quite healthy but should be part of a pattern of eating fruits, vegetables and whole greens. “Diets such as the Mediterranean diet are better with lean meat, which can improve cardiovascular disease risks.” Too many carbs Donald Layman, Ph.D., University of Illinois professor emeritus of nutri- tion and currently associate editor of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior , addressed the bad rap protein gets as opposed to carbohydrates. “We get over 70 percent of our calories from plant-based foods and only 30 As was demonstrated by COVID-19’s impact on consumers, supermarket meat cases were often harvested to the limit, competing with toilet paper as the “commodity” demanded repeatedly during the weeks of unrest that were continuing into the summer. This article examines the value of beef vs. plant-based and cell-based “meat mimics.” Beyond Impossible to Compare with Protein-Packed Beef By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor Plant-Based Blasphemy LEFT: Teresa Davis, Ph.D. RIGHT: Donald Layman, Ph.D. Photo from www. texasmonthly.com