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.
Being a rich source of protein, fish and chicken are equally considered good in terms of losing weight. While fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids too, which provides satiety and helps to cut down on food cravings and a person's indulgence is less for unhealthy food.
Both are considered "lean," which is defined by the USDA as foods with less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol in a serving. Fish provides a unique benefit over chicken in the form of its healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
When it comes to choosing healthy meat, fish swims to the top of the list. In addition to providing protein, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, selenium, zinc, and iodine, fish is noteworthy as an excellent source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
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.
Red Meat Versus Fish. Both fish and meat, such as beef, pork, and chicken can provide healthy nutrition, while poultry and fish are the best sources of protein and iron. Both have their place in a healthy diet. However, cutting down on red meat and increasing your fish consumption may vastly improve your health.
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.
“For most individuals it's fine to eat fish every day,” says Eric Rimm, professor of epidemiology and nutrition, in an August 30, 2015 article on Today.com, adding that “it's certainly better to eat fish every day than to eat beef every day.”
Chicken is also good magnesium and vitamin D source, but in smaller quantities than fish. However, chicken dominates in the protein department, winning over almost any type of lean protein fish. Chicken is also less caloric than fish. Both fish and chicken contain no sugars, no dietary fibres, and no carbs.
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.
A healthy balanced diet can include protein from meat, as well as from fish and eggs or non-animal sources such as beans and pulses. Meats such as chicken, pork, lamb and beef are all rich in protein. Red meat provides us with iron, zinc and B vitamins. Meat is one of the main sources of vitamin B12 in the diet.
Lean meat: It can help keep the metabolism high. Lean meats include skinless chicken breast, the white meat part of the turkey, or the lean cuts of beef. Leafy greens, green tea, and bright vegetables can help reduce swelling and turn off fat-storage genes.
Oily fish are fish that contain at least 10% fat, most of which are the healthier omega-3 oils. In Australia, the oiliest fish include: canned salmon and sardines, some varieties of canned tuna, salmon, gemfish, blue-eye trevalla, blue mackerel, oysters and arrow squid.
Packed with nutrients for a healthier you
With half the calories of salmon, Barramundi is still packed with Omega-3 fatty acids (known to promote both brain and cardiovascular health) and boasts 21 grams of lean protein in a four-ounce serving.
All three types of meat provide almost the same amount of protein (about 50 percent). Beef and chicken has almost the same amount of cholesterol. Fish, on the other hand, has about 20 percent less cholesterol.
Chicken tends to be easy to digest. It also contains no fiber, making it a good choice for people with digestive issues, such as IBS. Baked or grilled, skinless chicken is a healthful option, as it contains the least fat.
Another fantastic health benefit of consuming fish instead of meat is the higher intake of omega fatty acids. These fatty acids can aid the body in a multitude of ways; from boosting the immune system and easing inflammation in our joints, to improving cognitive function and fighting depression.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, abstinence laws say meat is considered something that comes only from animals that live on land, like chicken, cows, sheep or pigs. Fish are considered a different category of animal.
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.