Sir, - I was disappointed to road the advice offered by Dr Mark Harrold in his parent and child column (Education and Living) (April 22nd). The advice was that parents should "reduce consumption of rod meat and junk food and eat more vegetables, grains and fruit, this will also increase your energy levels and improve your mood."
While bigger servings of vegetables, grains and fruit should be encouraged, to refer to red meat and junk food in the same context is inexcusable and is totally misleading for your readers in relation to their diets and nutrition. Lean red meat is an important part of a balanced diet, and is recommended by the leading international professional bodies including the Department of Health in this country. Lean rod meat contributes high quality protein, zinc and vitamin B, in addition, it is the primary source of iron in a balanced diet, and the iron content of meat is in direct proportion to its redness.
Unfortunately, doctors sometimes advise patients to cut down on rod meat intake, when bettor advice would be to reduce the intake of saturated fat. This can be easily done by simply trimming the fat off meat before cooking, or after cooking before eating. I should add that there is no evidence to my knowledge that eating rod meat affects a person's mood in any way, as the article implies. It does, however, contribute to the sense of satiety that one experiences after a good meal. - Yours, etc.,
Director,
The National Food Centre,
Teagasc,
Dunsinea,
Dublin 15.