Healthiest options: turkey and chicken
When it comes to the healthiest meats that pack the biggest nutritional punch, turkey and chicken should be at the top of your (grocery) list, says Schiff. Both are about equal in terms of nutrition, with turkey tending to be leaner than chicken.
Least healthy meats
Processed Meats: Notably, there are over 200 types of cold cuts and processed meats. These include hot dogs, bologna, and Vienna sausages. Processed meat is often made of less healthy organs like the stomach, lips, and heart.
Nutrient Dense Red Meat
Sure, ostrich is a red meat and it probably makes sense that it's packed with protein and iron. So what qualifies it as a superfood? Compared to many other meats, ostrich is a better source of vitamins and minerals.
That's why the Healthy Eating Plate encourages choosing healthy protein foods. Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats.
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 too much bacon, sausages, hot dogs, canned meat, or lunch meat—meat that has been processed in some way to preserve or flavor it—is bad for health, according to experts. A number of studies have found links between processed meat and various forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.
So what is the healthiest meat? Kangaroo is technically the healthiest it has the lowest amount of Kilojules per serving. If you're not into kangaroo, some other options are- Fish with a low level of mercury, an extra trim eye fillet steak, chicken breast, pork fillet.
As far as meat options go, consuming leaner, less-processed meats more often than fattier and processed meats (like hot dogs, sausages, bacon and deli meats) is recommended. "Fattier and processed meats typically contain more saturated fat and sodium than leaner cuts of red meat, chicken and turkey," Sollid says.
White meat, such as chicken, and fish, are not linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Bison. This is one of the leanest red meats, which makes it healthier from the start. But there's more: Compared to beef with the same fat content, bison doesn't make as many of the fatty plaques that can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease.
Potatoes for health and nutrition
They're rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Potatoes were a life-saving food source in early times because the vitamin C prevented scurvy. Another major nutrient in potatoes is potassium, an electrolyte which aids in the workings of our heart, muscles, and nervous system.
Eating too much red meat could be bad for your health
Sizzling steaks and juicy burgers are staples in many people's diets. But research has shown that regularly eating red meat and processed meat can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, especially colorectal cancer.
While they are both excellent sources of protein and add to your nutrient profile, the benefits of fish tend to be slightly higher than chicken, especially when it comes to the Omega-3 content in it.
1. Turkey — best for low-fat and high protein. Sliced turkey, even if it's processed deli meat, is low in fat, low in calories, and high in protein. This makes it an ideal option for anyone attempting to increase muscle growth while limiting calories.
Choose cuts of meat that have the least amount of visible fat. Buy "choice" or "select" grades of beef rather than "prime." Lean cuts of meat contain the words “round,” “loin” or “sirloin” on the package. Choose lean or extra-lean ground meat (no more than 15% fat).
Lamb has healthy fats.
They can help reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol in your blood, lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke. Monounsaturated fats also have vitamin E, an antioxidant. Healthy fats are an important part of a balanced diet. They can help your body absorb nutrients.
Grain-fed red meats
Eating high amounts of fatty cuts of red meat — meaning beef, pork and lamb — can be hazardous for your health. “Grain-fed red meat is my least favorite source of protein, due to its high saturated fat content and impact on the environment,” states Zumpano.
The healthiest protein options are plant sources, such as soy, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils; lean meats, such as skinless, white-meat chicken or turkey; a variety of fish or seafood; egg whites; or low-fat dairy.