Abstract:
Food products from animals provide a variety of macro- and micronutrients. Animal sources of food, such as fish, chicken,
meat and eggs, constitute high-quantity and high-quality protein, as they contain essential amino acids in the right
proportions. In South Africa, eight micronutrients, namely vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin,
iron and zinc, have been identified as lacking in the population’s diet. Animal-sourced food is a particularly rich source
of these nutrients. Relatively small amounts of these foods, added to a mixed diet, make a substantial contribution to
nutrient adequacy. Generally, animal sources of food are associated with nutrients that are less desirable in the diet,
such as saturated fat and cholesterol. However, by choosing lean prudent portions of these foods, the intake of such
macronutrients can be controlled. Animal sources of food add variety and nutrients to the diet. Adding a small amount
of these food products to a plant-based diet can yield considerable improvements in human health. For a variety of
reasons, some people choose not to eat meat, but as there is no evidence that a moderate intake of fish, chicken,
lean meat and eggs has a negative effect on health, there is no scientific justification to exclude them from the diet. As
recommended in global food-based dietary guidelines, when consumed in moderation, fish, chicken, lean meat and
eggs can be part of a healthy, South African diet.
