Monday, January 10, 2011

Red Meat: Good or Bad?

Red meat, which includes beef, lamb, veal, and pork, is an excellent source of protein in the diet. It is also, however, a major source of unhealthy saturated fat. Medical studies show that people who eat red meat on a daily basis have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease than those who eat it less often. This relationship is believed to be due to the high saturated fat and cholesterol content of these meats. There is also evidence to suggest that a high intake of red meat may significantly increase your risk of colon cancer. So what should you be eating instead? Replace red meat with fish and chicken!

But when you do decide to eat red meat, try to choose cuts that have very low fat content. Use this guide to help in your decision making!

Meat (best to worst) - Fat %:


Venison - 18%
Pork Loin - 26%
Liver (beef) - 27%
Round Steak - 29%
Veal Chop (lean) - 39%
Canadian Bacon - 41%
Filet Mignon - 42%
Sirloin Steak - 42%
Flank Steak (lean) - 44%
Lamb Ribs - 48%
Spare Ribs - 52%
Sausage (beef) - 80%

And as a quick tip, always cut visible fat from meat prior to cooking!

Via: Nutrition for Life

No comments:

Post a Comment