Meat types and its nutrients

Definitions and usage of words have changed over time with their relevance to society. The same has been with meat and chicken.

Today people search specifically for “meat shop near me” or “meat shop” or “chicken shop near me” or “fresh meat shop near me”, referring to raw meat derived from animal flesh. The modern meaning of meat is way different than those in prehistoric times.

Meat now is termed as food derived from the animal’s body, removing the husk or the shell. Earlier meat was not associated with any animal; rather it was food in general. When people used to say meat it meant food for them as it was the only source to satisfy hunger.

I used to be a vegan once but then I switched to the nonvegan diet, basically including some quality raw meat and chicken that I bought from Vicky’s meat fairy, which I consider as the best meat shop in Indirapuram. The change I saw afterward was something I’ve only imagined. It changed the way I used to judge food, a marvelous change I witnessed in myself – says Raghav

The advent of civilization turned the tide for us. The domestication of animals such as chickens, sheep, rabbits, pigs, and goats started as a spin-off to cultivate meat on a large scale. The hunting and eating was a traditional norm followed by all the tribes. It was considered a mutual task to gather food for all and not as a means of trade.

The initial consumption can be dated back to 2000000 years ago. The paleontological surveys(the branch of science concerned with animal and plant fossils) provide numerous examples showing how raw meat and raw chicken were a part of the common human diet.

Just like others, meat is also a collective name given to food derived from animals. With a variety of animals available, meat is also of different kinds with different nutrient share and the different animal families.

Here are some of the types-

»Pork – Pork is one of the most popular varieties domesticated and consumed by people around the world. Pork is derived from pigs and is high in nutrients and vitamins. pork contains high amounts of vitamin B1 as well as omega-6 fatty acids. Vitamin B1, thiamin, or thiamine, enables the body to use carbohydrates as energy, enhancing the functioning of the heart, nerves, and muscles.

Pork is also classified as red, although confusions always revolve around it. The nutritional benefits from pork per 100g are – Calories 263 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Protein 16.9 g, Fat 21 g.

»Goat – Meat derived from goat is generally said as a goat(Capra aggros circus). It is of slightly muscular composition. A goat is a standardized form in itself, with the most consumption in the world. In South Asian and Caribbean cuisine, mutton commonly means goat. Like pork, the goat is also red meat with extremely healthy benefits.

Goat is the most environmentally friendly type. It is also on the costlier side due to high demand. The nutritional benefits from goat per 100g are – Calories 107 kcal, Carbohydrate 0.2g, Protein 21.9g, Fat 1.5g.

»Chicken –  Winner winner chicken dinner, sounds familiar right? Chicken is the most well known and consumed meat around the world be it America, Africa, Europe, or Asia. People around the world now refer to chicken, not as a meat variety but a separate dish in itself.

Chicken is eaten in various forms, as leg pieces, or as breasts. The chicken industry is one of the most popular animal industries. The nutritional benefits from chicken per 100g are – Calories 143 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Protein 17.4 g, Fat 8.1 g.

»Lamb – Lamb or mutton is the animal flesh derived from sheep. Lamb is procured from young sheep, typically less than a year old. While mutton is procured from sheep older than a year. Just like pork, lamb is also dissected in various forms. It is under the red meat folder. This kind of meat is high in nutrients and other vitamins.

Lamb is one of the most expensive meats available in the market. While it is also on the healthier side. It consists of high levels of iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. The nutritional benefits from lamb per 100g are – Calories 282 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Protein 16.6 g, Fat 23.4 g.

»Turkey – Gaining its popularity from Christmas, turkey is one of its kind. It has a deeper yet drier taste than chicken and is a less prevalent form of poultry. Although it’s less prevalent around the globe and especially in India due to its unavailability.

It is of mild white color and is difficult to prepare is not dried out. The nutritional benefits from turkey per 100g are – Calories 149 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Protein 17.5 g, Fat 8.3 g.

»Duck – It’s probably the least popular kind of meat. The popularity of it can be traced to Chinese cuisine. Like turkey, it is also white. The nutritional benefits from duck per 100g are – Calories 132 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Protein 18.3 g, Fat 5.9 g.

»Rabbit – One of the less eaten and domesticated varieties. People do not prefer it over others due to several factors including price, taste, cooking process, and above all the fondness and love of humans towards the cute rabbits.

It is all white with high levels of vitamin B12 and selenium. The preparation is generally stewed or fried. The nutritional benefits from rabbits per 100g are – Calories 136 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Protein 20.0 g, Fat 5.5 g.

»Venison or Deer –  Venison refers to meat derived from deer. Being one of its kind in the industry, it is also rare in nature. The reason being less domestication of the animal as it is wild. But due to soaring demands of it around the world, it is gaining pace in the industry.

It is of very lean type. In terms of nutrition, it looks more like white. The nutritional benefits from Venison or Deer per 100g are – Calories 157 kcal, Carbohydrate 0 g, Protein 21.8 g, Fat 7.1 g.

The major types and their nutrient quotient is mentioned above. We hope the information was helpful.