Pork is typically lowest in calories and saturated fat when compared with other red meats — as long as it isn't processed into bacon or cured ham.
In beef, there is 14% iron per 100g when compared to the 4% in pork meat. Another big difference is that beef has a high amount of vitamin B12 and B6 when compared to pork. Although pork has far more thiamin than beef, beef is highly more valuable in vitamin structure.
go for turkey and chicken without the skin as these are lower in fat (or remove the skin before cooking) try to limit processed meat products such as sausages, salami, pâté and beefburgers, because these are generally high in fat – they are often high in salt, too.
Full of vitamins: In particular, pork is rich in thiamine, which is a B vitamin that helps your body function properly. Pork has more thiamine than other red meats, like beef and lamb, says WebMD. Boost thyroid function: A key vitamin that's helpful to proper thyroid function is selenium.
Finally, health experts say to stay away from processed meats, which are generally considered to be unhealthy. These include any meat that has been smoked, salted, cured, dried, or canned. Compared to fresh meat, processed meats are high in sodium and can have double the amount of nitrates.
Eating pork products, which are loaded with artery-clogging cholesterol and saturated fat, is a good way to increase your chances of developing diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.
Unlike many other forms of livestock, pigs are omnivorous scavengers, eating virtually anything they come across, including carrion and refuse, which was deemed unclean. Furthermore, a Middle Eastern society keeping large stocks of pigs could destroy their ecosystem.
When it comes to overall health, saturated fat should be limited as much as possible. Lamb typically has more saturated fat — which can raise your levels of bad cholesterol, putting you at higher risk of cardiovascular disease — than beef or pork.
How much red meat should you eat per week? Dietitians recommend a maximum of seven serves of lean red meat per week – be it beef, lamb, veal, pork or kangaroo.
The leanest cuts of pork are actually lower in calories than chicken. “Ounce for ounce, lean cuts of pork have the same amount of or fewer calories than chicken, and fewer calories than lean cuts of beef,” Cara Harbstreet, M.D., R.D., L.D. of Street Smart Nutrition, tells SELF.
Both pork and beef are high in proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, beef tends to have more calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol than pork. Pork may be a better choice, then, if you're trying to manage your blood cholesterol levels.
As a red meat, pork has a reputation for being unhealthy. However, it is a good source of certain nutrients, as well as high-quality protein. Consumed in moderation, it can make a good addition to a healthy diet.
Lamb and beef have similar calories, total fat, protein, vitamin, and mineral content—but lamb (especially grass-fed lamb) is the winner when it comes to omega-3 fat content. Grass-fed lamb also has higher quantities of the healthy fat CLA, which is beneficial for cognitive, cardiovascular, and metabolic health.
Best cuts: Sirloin tip side steak, eye of round roast, top round steak and bottom round steak. Worst cuts: T-bone steak, rib-eye steak, filet mignon and porterhouse steak. Best cuts: Breast. Worst cuts: Thigh, wing, drumstick and leg.
In general, red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) have more saturated fat than skinless chicken, fish and plant proteins. Saturated fats can raise your blood cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. If you eat poultry, pork, beef or other meats, choose lean meat, skinless poultry, and unprocessed forms.
Christians may eat pork because God has declared it once more to be clean. “What God has declared clean you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). Pork is one of those “foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth” (1Timothy 4:3).
Pigs were unclean because they ate filth. The Jews were not alone in this prejudice. In the great civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt, priests and rulers avoided pork at all costs. Just across the Mediterranean, however, the Romans loved swine with a passion matched by few people before or since.
Both Judaism and Islam have prohibited eating pork and its products for thousands of years. Scholars have proposed several reasons for the ban to which both religions almost totally adhere. Pork, and the refusal to eat it, possesses powerful cultural baggage for Jews.
A cut above: Fish and poultry
Poultry and fish are considered the best meats you can load your diet with, Laster says. Fish is hailed for its omega-3 fatty acids, which can protect against cardiovascular disease. Fish is also rich in vitamin D, selenium and protein.