Meat, eggs and milk offer crucial sources of much-needed nutrients which cannot easily be obtained from plant-based foods, this new report issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says. This is particularly vital during key life stages such as pregnancy and lactation, childhood, adolescence and older age, says the study, entitled Contribution of terrestrial animal source food to healthy diets for improved nutrition and health outcomes. It’s the most comprehensive analysis yet of the benefits and risks of consuming animal source foods and is based on data and evidence from more than 500 scientific papers and some 250 policy documents.