There might be a trend towards a plant-based lifestyle (a six-fold increase in vegans in the past eight years!), but nothing matches meat when it comes to generous and nutritious amounts of protein.
Many health articles will tell you to increase your protein macro to build muscle and lose weight. But nutrition advice shouldn’t stop there. Not all protein is equal, and you will want to maximize your nutrition from every bite.
To help, we’ve put together this guide to the most nutritious lean meats to add to your diet.
The flavour of the meat can be greatly influenced by the type of grass fed beef butcher.
Grass-Fed Beef
High in iron and zinc, beef is a fantastic addition to any diet. And with a wide variety, including ground, fillet, sirloin, or ribeye, you have lots of voice from one of the healthiest meat options around.
However, if you are going to go for beef, choose superior grass-fed beef instead of grain-fed. It is higher in omega-3 fatty acids. The grass diet also boosts levels of antioxidants in the meat.
Ostrich
Are you looking for a lean protein? Look no further than the unusual but tasty ostrich. Ostrich meat is one of the lowest fat meats around, so eat this with abundance while watching your macros!
Ostrich has fewer calories per gram than beef but with a similar red meat taste and texture. Ostrich also contains high iron levels and high levels of polyunsaturated fats.
Wild Venison
The benefit of opting for game meat such as venison is that you’ll consume wild meat that has avoided all the health risks from eating mass-produced farm food.
Venison is a rich, tasty meat and a great source of protein. It is also relatively low in saturated fat compared to other dark meats.
Pork Loin
While fattier cuts of pork such as the belly and shoulder might taste delicious, a lean cut like loin is the best way to go for optimum health.
Pork is high in the B-vitamins B-6 and B-12. Those vitamins are great for the brain, nervous systems, and healthy blood cells. Pork is also high in iron, something you’ll want to keep in check if you are training.
Turkey
Don’t wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy turkey! This meat is delicious, and it’s also cheap and highly nutritious. Turkey is low in fat, high in protein, and, like pork, is a good source of B-vitamins.
Buy ground turkey to make a healthy alternative to the traditional beef burger. Or choose some lean turkey breast as a lower-cost and leaner choice than chicken breast.
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Chicken Breast
The breast is the healthiest meat from a chicken and is highly versatile. It takes flavor brilliantly, you have millions of online recipes from which to choose, and a hearty chicken breast will make any meal satisfying and filling.
Opt for organic chicken if you can afford the premium price. Farmers will have fed the chickens a more nutritious diet. That will result in superior meat in terms of taste and health.
Lean Meats for a Lean Body
Adding these lean meats to your diet means you can get the body you want without compromising tasty and satisfying food. If some of these meats are new to you, why not try them today?
And before you start cooking, head to our food section for new recipe ideas!
