Nutritive Value of Lean Meat

Lean meat refers to a variety which has low fat content.  Generally,skinless chicken and turkey are considered the best sources of lean meat.Skinless red meat is also considered lean meat as the skin on meat is said to contain most of the fat content and removing this layer reduces the fat content by almost 80 per cent especially in chicken.  Lean meat is said to be nutritious because it is the best source of protein other than eggs.  It is good source of vitamin B complex as they are rich in vitamin B12

• Selenium acts as an antioxidant and helps remove free radicals that damage the cells. lt boosts immunity and protects the heart.
• Vitamin 83, also called niacin helps in the production of stress and sex hormones in the adrenal glands. They also help in the formation of red blood cells, improve metabolism and play an important role in the development of the nervous system.
• Choline is very important for nerve functioning and helps reduce inflammation.
• lron is easily absorbed by the human body. The iron in lean meat is heme-iron – a form of iron which is required by the body for production of haemoglobin. Vegetarian sources contain non-heme iron which is not absorbed easily by humans.
• Magnesium in meat helps build the bones whereas zinc is required for the development of the nervous system especially during pregnancy, as it aids in the growth of the foetus.
  The iron and zinc in animal foods is more easily absorbed by the body than in plant foods such as nuts, seeds and legumes or beans. However, the vitamin C found in fruits and vegetables help in the absorption of iron from these foods.

Lean Meat And Weight Loss

Lean meats are composed entirely of protein which has only four calories per gram. Therefore, it is very helpful in weight loss and should definitely be part of a weight loss diet regime. This means that, when one eats lean meats, low calories are consumed.

ln addition, adequate protein intake is also essential for maintaining muscle mass. The more muscle mass a body has, the higher the metabolic rate. The higher the metabolic rate, the faster the body will burn calories. Therefore, Iean meats can be extremely effective in maintaining weight and can also help achieve weight loss goals. Therefore, it is recommended that lean meat should be consumed at least three times a week to reap its benefits.

Best Ways To Consume Lean Meat

• Always cook the meat at home using very little oil or by baking, grilling, or by adding them to curries or soups.
• When eating out, order meat that has been baked,grilled, poached, broiled or steamed.
• Avoid fried meat that has been cooked in butter or other creamy sauces.
• Do not eat lean meat everyday but have it thrice a week.
• Do not make lean meats the main focus of any meal but add them to dishes to increase their nutritive value.
• Be mindful of portion size for all meats and stick to having a small portion like the size of a deck of cards.
• Add vegetables, mushrooms, beans or soy products to a meat dish to make it wholesome.
• Choose products that are organic, grass-fed, free range and hormone-free whenever possible.