The Leanest Cuts of Meats Revealed

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:30:00 -0800

Sick of chicken yet? You're not alone, but how does someone who's trying to watch her calories and fat intake pick a lean type of meat? I found a basic breakdown on the leanest meat choices on Yahoo and I thought it would be helpful in deciding which meat meets your needs. Here are the highlights:

Bison: We hope you’re ready to expand your dinner horizons because bison (aka buffalo) is the big winner. (Deer and elk are right on its hooves, er, heels.) Believe it or not, bison has slightly less fat and fewer calories (2 grams and 122 calories per 3-ounce serving) than skinless light meat chicken (3g and 144 cals). Plus, it’s a terrific source of protein (24g) and iron. The taste? Similar to beef, though slightly sweeter and richer.

Bonus: With bison (wild game, too), you aren't exposed to the cancer-linked growth hormones and antibiotics administered to farm-raised cows.

Beef and Veal: Beef and veal are skinniest when they’re loin or round cuts, such as beef bottom sirloin (6g fat, 150 cals) and top round veal (3g, 128 cals). Avoid veal cutlets and breast meat.

Pork: Choose leg cuts, such as ham, or loin, as in boneless sirloin pork chops or top loin chops (both have about 7g fat and 170 cals).

Lamb: Try cuts from the shank half of the leg (if labels aren’t clear, ask the butcher). Well-trimmed shank-half cuts have 5-6 grams fat and about 155 calories per serving.

Fit's Tip: Meat is generally higher in cholesterol and saturated fat than chicken, fish or vegetables, so use the choices above for those times when you just need some red meat.

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The Leanest Cuts of Meats Revealed