Meat of the matter

Sales for red meat are predicted to top $44 billion this year, up 18 percent in just three years and nearly 40 percent since 1999, according to a report from research firm Mintel, reports MSNBC. After a growth slowdown after 2000, the appetite for red meat spiked again last year - unquestionably spurred by low-carb eating and the rush to try out diets like Atkins.Beef showed the biggest jump in recent years, with sales up nearly 20 percent since 2002. Pork sales also rose more than 13 percent, and lamb was up more than 7 percent. One in five people said low carb diets spurred their meat and fish intake.