Is Steak Healthy? 5 Benefits of Eating Steak

Is steak healthy? If you are unfamiliar with the carnivore diet, your first instinct may be to say no. The propaganda machine against eating red meat like steak has turned many people away from this source of nutrition. 

But a closer look at the facts will show you that eating steak and other red meat can indeed be healthy. 

The secret is to eat high-quality steak as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Do you want to know more about what steak offers your physical well-being? Here are the five benefits of eating steak you probably haven't considered. 

​5 Health Benefits Of Eating Steak

Let’s dive right in and examine the top five benefits of eating steak. ​

1. ​Filling And Nutritious

Unlike processed meat, sugary treats, and ultra-processed cereal, a steak is healthier and closer to nature. Red meat is filling, healthy, and nutrient-dense, making it ideal for people looking for healthy meal choices while watching their caloric intake.

Many people lump red and processed meats into the same basket, yet these are very different foods.  

Eat Steak But Avoid Processed Meat 

Most processed meat products, particularly the canned variety or deli sausages, contain only a percentage of meats mixed with cereal products, soy, and other fillers. They also typically have high sodium levels and are full of additives that are not healthy for your body.  

A grilled steak contains none of that!

2. ​High-Quality Protein

Protein is found in our hair, skin, and nails. It is present in our organs, muscles, and bones. Our bodies need protein to grow and develop. Like other red meat, steak is a form of high-quality protein.

Animal foods like steak are called “complete proteins” as they contain all the essential amino acids our bodies need. There are very few complete protein sources in a plant-based diet. But the carnivore diet is full of them.

3. ​Rich In Minerals Like Iron And Zinc

The human body needs a variety of minerals to function properly. Iron helps transport oxygen to our tissues and organs. Zinc helps with DNA creation and repair, wound healing, and building our immune systems. Steak is rich in iron and zinc, and therefore good for your all-around health.

Iron is found in both animal and plant foods. But red meat like steak contains heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body than the non-heme iron in plant foods.

4. ​Contains Essential Vitamins

We all know the importance of eating a healthy diet to get the vitamins we need. The body can synthesize some of these vitamins. But there are some vitamins the body can't produce on its own. These are called essential vitamins. We need to get them from our diet, and fortunately, they are present in steak.

If you thought you could only get the essential vitamins like vitamin C in fruit, think again. Vitamin C is found in both the animal and plant kingdoms. You can get the vitamin C your body so desperately needs from meats, including red meat like steak. 

5. ​A Source Of Healthy Fats

People who are afraid to eat red meat like steak often cite the fat content as their cause for concern. But the truth is, your body needs a certain amount of fat to stay healthy, and steak is a good source of healthy fats.

You don’t have to eat plant-based foods or take supplements to get your daily dose of Omegas. Red meats like steak are a good source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats, necessary for a healthy brain and heart.

​Considerations For Eating Steak

• Choose lean cuts of steak to limit the saturated fat content and hence any risk to your cholesterol levels. If you don’t have lean cuts of steak at home, simply trim the excess fat. You’ll still get all the goodness of the protein, vitamin, and mineral content. 
  

• Too much of anything is not a good thing, and that includes steak. Your body thrives on variety, even in the carnivore diet. So balance your diet by eating a wide variety of meats, and other animal foods like eggs, cream, butter, or cheese if you can tolerate them.
  

• Mind your portion sizes when eating steak. Red meat is very filling, so you don’t need to eat large portions to feel satiated. That’s because unlike ultra-processed food full of air and empty calories, steak is nutrient-dense.
  

​Common Concerns About Steak

Steak can be very healthy but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for everyone. Some conditions are worsened by eating an excess of red meat. Always consult your primary healthcare professional if you’re uncertain how much meat is good for you.

However, some concerns about eating steak are not completely accurate. Let’s look at the two most common ones.

1. ​Steak’s Saturated Fat May Raise Cholesterol

Excess saturated fat has indeed been linked to raised cholesterol levels. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions against excess saturated fat. Take note that although it’s advised to limit saturated fat to keep cholesterol in check, they don’t say to avoid meat completely.

Your body needs cholesterol. But there are different types of cholesterol, and saturated fat is not the only factor in high cholesterol levels. Just use common sense, and don’t consume excess fatty meats if you suffer from high cholesterol. Choose lean meats instead. 

Research the other factors that affect cholesterol and how they may be relevant to your condition. Read the Carnivore Diet and Cholesterol to learn more.

2. ​Steak May May Worsen Gout 

If you aren't metabolically healthy, gout sufferers can experience more inflammation and pain when they eat too much red meat, as red meat contains high levels of a substance called purine. This substance raises uric acid levels in the body, which can lead to more frequent gout attacks.

This does not necessarily mean gout sufferers can’t follow the carnivore diet because following the diet will ultimately lead to better health. It can be helpful to people living with this arthritic condition. Uric acid levels in the blood can be raised by many other factors besides red meat intake. Read this article about Gout on the Carnivore Diet for more information. 

​Final Thoughts

Is steak healthy? Yes, it can be very healthy. Steak, and red meat in general, is not the enemy. If you are looking for a natural source of protein, minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats that are filling and nutritious, steak fits the bill. 

However, you should always factor in your existing health conditions before eating steak in excess. And remember that a healthy diet is a varied diet. You can enjoy the health benefits of steak by incorporating it into a diet that contains other natural nutrient-dense meats and animal foods.