Meat or rather we should say ''meats'' are very diverse. This is due to the variety of animals, the different cuts and preparation methods that exist. We must also mention meat's nutritional richness: protein, essential amino acids, iron, heme iron, zinc, selenium, B-complex vitamins. Because of this, meat deserves its place in a well-balanced diet. In France, average meat consumption is moderate. And the majority of the population consumes less than the maximum amount recommended by public health authorities. Moreover, meat can be particularly recommended to some people with special nutritional needs such as teenage girls and menstruating women, pregnant women, athletes and elderly people. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Societe francaise de nutrition.