Man Shall Not Live by Meat, Fruit, Dairy, and Honey Alone...

DISCLAIMER: The following describes a particular subject a YouTuber had stated that may be viewed as controversial. Herbalista does not endorse the YouTuber's beliefs and merely poses a question based on their notion. The following is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace, substitute, or supplement as medical advice and/or treatment. The following is not meant to treat, cure, mitigate, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor for personal medical advice and treatment. Herbalista is not responsible for the actions taken by readers based on the blog's information.

A little while back, I heard a profound statement that someone* had made, stating that if everyone were to eat only meat, fruit, dairy, and honey, that we could survive on those foods alone and still meet all our nutritional needs. Is that true, though? Let's investigate!

Eating a balanced diet means including a variety of foods that provide essential nutrients. Meat, fruit, dairy, and honey each offer unique benefits that may support overall health. Understanding what each food contributes can help you make informed choices in fueling your body effectively.

Benefits of Consuming Meat

Meat is a rich source of high-quality protein, which is vital for muscle growth, repair, and immune function. Including moderate amounts of meat in your diet may improve energy levels and support overall vitality, particularly when consumed after fitness activity (Corcia et al. 2022). It also provides essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own. Meat even contains important vitamins and minerals such as:

• Iron: Helps transport oxygen in the blood and prevents anemia.

• Vitamin B12: Supports nerve function and the production of red blood cells.

• Zinc: Boosts the immune system and aids wound healing.

  
  

To further maximize healthy gains, lean cuts of beef or chicken breast can offer these nutrients without excessive fat.

Nutritional Advantages of Fruit

Fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that protect cells from damage. They are an excellent source of:

• Vitamin C: Enhances immune defense and skin health.

• Fiber: Promotes digestive health and helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.

• Potassium: Supports heart health and regulates blood pressure.

  
  

Eating a variety of fruits like berries, oranges, and apples provides a broad spectrum of nutrients. For instance, blueberries are known for their antioxidant properties, which may reduce inflammation and support heart health and aging (Kalt et al. 2019). Fruits can also offer natural sugars that provide quick energy and may reduce the risk of a "crash" associated with processed sweets.

Why Dairy Matters

Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are well-known for their calcium content, which is crucial for strong bones and teeth. Dairy also supplies:

• Protein: Helps build and repair tissues.

• Vitamin D: Assists calcium absorption and supports immune function.

• B Vitamins: Aid in energy production and red blood cell formation.

  
  

Including dairy in your diet can reduce the risk of osteoporosis (Ratajczak et al. 2021). For example, Greek yogurt offers a high protein content with probiotics that may promote one's gut health. Choosing low-fat or fermented dairy options may even maximize benefits while managing calorie intake.

The Sweet Benefits of Honey

Honey is a natural sweetener commonly used to soothe sore throats. In particular, honey can contain antimicrobial properties and, when medical-grade, may even support topical wound healing (Tashkandi, 2021). Honey contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals like:

• Vitamin C

• Calcium

• Iron

  
  

Unlike refined sugar, honey has a lower glycemic index, which means it can raise blood sugar more gradually. Using honey in moderation can add flavor and health benefits to your diet, such as in tea or as a topping for yogurt.

The Considerations

While they can offer a variety of health benefits, the four foods do not necessarily cover every necessary nutrient needed where one can solely survive off of their consumption alone. This is because various factors can influence one's ability to meet their nutrient needs. Let's take a look at a few!

Selecting the Item: Can I Get It?

One of the factors is knowing how accessible each food is. Let's say someone goes to the grocery store once a month to buy some fruit. They live very far away from their desired fruits but know that a grocery store closer to them has a vegetable that can meet their same nutrient needs. In other words, what if fruits were hard to obtain at a grocery store, and one had to resolve in eating another food to meet their nutrient deficiency? Or, what if someone had to grow fruit for themself, and had to wait months, or even years, for their fruit to ripen? They would likely miss out on certain essential plant compound nutrients, like polyphenols.

Reading the Nutrition Label: Can This Help Me?

An additional factor to consider is knowing which foods are considered an excellent source in a nutrient over another. From the previous example, the grocery shopper decides to buy some honey for a nutrient deficiency. They suddenly remember from their doctor that they were recommended to try maple syrup as it offered more of the nutrients they needed rather than the honey. There is always the possibility of a food having more or less of what one needs for their health.

Placing the Item into the Cart: Can I Eat This?

Finally, even if these four food items have multiple beneficiary nutrients, being able to consume each food item on the daily depends on whether and how a food is handled. One might immediately think about someone having food allergies and knowing not to cross-contaminate food around them. However, here is another consideration: is it better to cook a food or leave it raw? This is particularly the case for those who may not be able to properly digest insoluble fiber. For example, I recently discovered that I have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which requires me to now cook more of my foods. This is because certain fibers negatively affect my gut when left raw. As a result, I cannot eat too many fruits because of their high insoluble fiber content. In addition, certain meats, sugary products like honey, and enzymes from dairy can also negatively affect my inflammatory markers, making food choices more complex.

...But By Every Word Your Doctor Tells You

Being able to survive only off of four--even one, two, three, etc.--foods may be possible for some, but not for others. Most bodies are different, and one body may require more or less nutrients than someone else's body. You are your best advocate for your health, and qualified, expert medical professionals like your doctor can help steer you closer to your personal health goals.

References

Corcia, M. et al. (2022). Functional properties of meat in athletes' performance and recovery. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 19(no. 9), p. 5145. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095145

Kalt, W. et al. (2019). Recent research on the health benefits of blueberries and their anthocyanins. Advances in Nutrition, vol.11(no. 2), pp. 224-236. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz065

Ratajczak, A. E. et al. (2021). Milk and dairy products: Good or bad for human bone? Practical dietary recommendations for the prevention and management of osteoporosis. Nutrients, vol. 13(no. 4), p. 1329. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041329

Tashkandi, H. (2021). Honey in wound healing: An updated review. Open Life Sciences, vol. 16(no. 1), pp. 1091-1100. https://doi.org/10.1515/biol-2021-0084

*Name is omitted to preserve the person/YouTube channel's privacy as they may be believed to have shared and regularly share controversial statements. This statement is only used for informational purposes and is not intended to provoke harmful discourse. Please be respectful of the personal thoughts of others regarding this topic in the comment section.