Nutritional impact of excluding red meat from the Canadian diet

The objective of the study was to examine differences in nutrient intake between consumers and non-consumers of red meat and to assess nutritional adequacy of consumers relative to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) in Canada. Matching estimators were used to identify differences in nutrient intake between the two groups. Sta-tistically significant differences were observed in nutrient intake between red meat consumers and non -consumers, including lower daily intake of protein, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, and zinc and a higher daily intake of dietary fiber, folate, and magnesium among Canadians who did not consume red meat. Further, red meat consumers and non-consumers had nutrient intakes below RDA for dietary energy, fiber, and calcium. While individuals who did not consume red meat were at increased risk of calcium, vitamin D, energy, and potassium inadequacy, those who consumed red meat were at increased risk of dietary fiber, vitamin A, and magnesium inadequacy.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to compare nutrient intake between red meat consumers and non-consumers, and evaluate the nutritional adequacy of consumers based on the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) in Canada. Statistically significant differences were found in nutrient intake between the two groups, with non-consumers having lower daily intake of protein, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, and zinc, and higher intake of dietary fiber, folate, and magnesium. Both consumers and non-consumers had inadequate intake of dietary energy, fiber, and calcium relative to RDA. Non-consumers were at higher risk of calcium, vitamin D, energy, and potassium inadequacy, while consumers were at higher risk of dietary fiber, vitamin A, and magnesium inadequacy.