Naive but not discouraged: Embarking on a new project

With the start of every new year comes new goals, one of which for me is giving up red meat.

Understand that I'm not giving up red meat simply because I want to save animals from being slaughtered — those animals will end up being killed regardless. I'm doing it to improve my overall health.

Diets heavy in red meat, flour, coffee and soda contributes to a higher pH level and an increased acidic load for the body to absorb and neutralize, according to Dr. Sally Warren, a traditional naturopath doctor. This level of high acidity creates an ideal environment for diseases, especially when poor sleep and stress are thrown in.

In order to balance out the high-acidic diet so many people have become accustomed too, a greater influx of fruits and vegetables (alkaline foods) is needed.

A greater influx of fruits and vegetables can also lead to better skin.

Fruits and vegetables are heavy in vitamins like A, C and E, all of which are known to fight blemish-causing free radicals.

Cutting out red meat can also lead to increased energy, since red meat such as beef, lamb and pork have been shown to increase estrogen levels. Meat-heavy diets often lead to a hormonal imbalance, contributing to sluggishness.

This hormonal imbalance may also lead to poor absorption, leading to acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.

Switching to lighter calorie alternatives to red meat, such as fish, tofu and beans, can also lead to weight loss over time.

A three-ounce serving of red meat such as beef averages about 170 calories total, but human bodies can get the same amount of protein from a portion of beans (averaging 100 calories) or tofu (averaging 70 calories).

The U.S. National Research Council recommends adults get 10 to 35 percent of their daily calories from protein, about 36 grams of protein for women and 46 grams of protein for men.

While I may find myself chasing protein at first, alternatives such as quinoa are healthy ways to add protein into my diet.

I also plan to make protein shakes regularly, to ensure I'm getting enough protein every day.

Less red meat also leads to lower cholesterol levels, since the amount of saturated fats in my overall diet will decrease.

High cholesterol can be linked to a person's genes, but limiting the red meat can go a long way.

Limiting my intake of red meat can also decrease my risk of heart disease and Alzheimer's.

Cutting out red meat also helps decrease bloating.

The body digests red meat slowly, due to its complex structure — people often report constipation, indigestion and increased gas after meat-heavy meals.

After limiting the amount of red meat (or cutting it out completely), some indigestion is normal due to the increase of fiber-rich foods. In the long term, the amount of healthy bacteria in my gastrointestinal tract will increase, which can help lower inflammation and decrease bloating.

Taking red meat off the menu also helps reduce the load on organs such as the liver and kidneys, which filter out impurities on an ongoing basis.

It can also decrease my risk for certain cancers, including bowel and colorectal, especially if it runs in your family.

In 2015, the World Health Organization classified red meat as a carcinogen, meaning it has the ability to cause cancer. Researchers also suspect that the compound giving red meat it's color (haem) promotes the formation of carcinogenic compounds.

With all the good that comes from cutting out red meat, there are some negatives I need to be aware of, such as being low on certain nutrients.

Key nutrients such as B vitamins and iron are normally supplied by red meat, along with many other amino acids. While giving up red meat, I may need to start taking vitamin supplements to ensure I'm getting the daily dosage my body requires.

If I don't get enough protein from things such as chicken, tofu, quinoa or beans, I put myself at risk for muscle atrophy as well.

Something I may face during this journey is meat detox, which may lead to weakness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, difficulty concentrating and dehydration. This meat detox period normally lasts for just a few days, and is normally followed by increased energy.

Taking into consideration all the negatives I will be exposing myself to, giving up red meat is something I'm very excited to try, even if it's just for a few months.

Consider this part one in a series, because I plan on updating all of you on my progress with this project. Keep an eye out in February for my first update on being a semi-vegetarian.