Red Meat & Pork vs. Chicken, Turkey & Fish

[cookie6815]

I really like red meat and pork. I don't eat chicken at all. I sometime eat turkey and fish or tofu and vegeterian burgers (low cal/low carb) as I like them. Many people stop with red meat and pork when attempting weight loss. Just curious is red meat and pork hindering my weight loss? If yes I may be willing to change it up a bit. If not I will continue to eat lean protien and vegetables. Please add your input as it is welcomed.

[Rue]

Again, you'll read a variety of opinions, but from what I can tell, if you eat small amounts of lean red meat, you're good to go.

4 oz., or a piece the size of a deck of cards is a portion.

[MommaHoffa]

I think it just depends on how much and how it's cooked just like with anything. I myself don't eat much red meat because I'm picky about it and have tummy issues. I really don't eat much meat at all if I can help it. Plus chicken and turkey are cheaper than beef right now.

[chrishoney001]

Red meat and pork has more calories. So if you're counting them to lose weight, you'll have to have smaller portions or watch calories at another meal. Chicken, turkey and fish have lower calories and are leaner that's why so many nutritionalists want you to stick with them.

[Vonderbach]

I find that preparation is key to enjoying healthy foods. Chicken is such a versatile meat and you can make it delicious with seasoning and some minor additions. Try to find some new recipes and see if you can't try to gain some new appreciation for one of the best natural proteins next to tuna.

[Obesity Discussion]

Red meat and pork has more calories. So if you're counting them to lose weight, you'll have to have smaller portions or watch calories at another meal. Chicken, turkey and fish have lower calories and are leaner that's why so many nutritionalists want you to stick with them.

A lot of it depends on what cut and what type of red meat or white we're talking about here.

Lean ham for example is very healthy from a leanness perspective and is going to have less fat and calories than a similar size piece of chicken with skin and/or fat that hasn't been trimmed well.

I eat lean ham all the time, and it's great minus the salt. Lean turkey is very similar in calories/fat/salt to lean ham if you get it from the deli for example. The biggest issue IMO with red meats are the increased chances of colon cancer. Secondary to that is that most red meats out there are higher in calories and fat, especially with the poorer quality types and/or cuts of meat. If I do eat steak for example, which I do once in a while, I get the tenderloin cut, and trim every bit of fat off to reduce my calories and fat intake. I also get 96% lean ground beef and have that on occasion as well.

As long as you're eating lean cuts of red meat or pork on occasion, you're fine. But definitely mix them with fish/chicken and the like.

[cookie6815]

Again, you'll read a variety of opinions, but from what I can tell, if you eat small amounts of lean red meat, you're good to go.

4 oz., or a piece the size of a deck of cards is a portion.

Thanks Rue I have a food scale so measure but it's just everyone I know keep saying stop eating red meat/pork even the nutritionist. But I don't want to.

[cookie6815]

I think it just depends on how much and how it's cooked just like with anything. I myself don't eat much red meat because I'm picky about it and have tummy issues. I really don't eat much meat at all if I can help it. Plus chicken and turkey are cheaper than beef right now.

I see but to me beef is cheaper here. I can get a steak for $3 bucks compared to 6 drumsticks at $10 seriously they're crazy. But I know about tummy issues. I too have a hard time going with too much meat. I bake/grill most meats or do stew beef with carrots and veggies or curried beef or chilli with red beans.

[cookie6815]

I find that preparation is key to enjoying healthy foods. Chicken is such a versatile meat and you can make it delicious with seasoning and some minor additions. Try to find some new recipes and see if you can't try to gain some new appreciation for one of the best natural proteins next to tuna.

Vonderbach I will never eat chicken. Just sick of it. They are so many chickens running around outside so I really can't think of it. But I like turkey so I bake turkey breast and add to salads or eat with stir fry or some sort of veggies.

[cookie6815]

A lot of it depends on what cut and what type of red meat or white we're talking about here.

Lean ham for example is very healthy from a leanness perspective and is going to have less fat and calories than a similar size piece of chicken with skin and/or fat that hasn't been trimmed well.

I eat lean ham all the time, and it's great minus the salt. Lean turkey is very similar in calories/fat/salt to lean ham if you get it from the deli for example. The biggest issue IMO with red meats are the increased chances of colon cancer. Secondary to that is that most red meats out there are higher in calories and fat, especially with the poorer quality types and/or cuts of meat. If I do eat steak for example, which I do once in a while, I get the tenderloin cut, and trim every bit of fat off to reduce my calories and fat intake. I also get 96% lean ground beef and have that on occasion as well.

As long as you're eating lean cuts of red meat or pork on occasion, you're fine. But definitely mix them with fish/chicken and the like.

Thanks for the info. I like 98% lean ground beef. Don't eat much ham. I only buy deli sliced meat less sodium. I eat pork chops trimmed off fat before baking. I also eat ribs but that's once a month. I eat lots of tuna, fish, and turkey. I also love veggie burgers. I bake em, sautee em or stew em as a protien. I'll purchase more chicken breast and fresh fish. I also like conch and shrimp since I have good cholesterol. Just really working on eating healthier all together. COLON CANCER oh boy I did not know this. Ok time to cut back on the beef. Cause I can eat this everyday.

[Miranda]

Here's the calorie to protein breakdown:

4 oz. starkist albacore tuna: cal 140 / protein 28g
4 oz. bnls/sknls chick breast: cal 110 / protein 23g
4 oz. london broil: cal 244 / protein 28g
4 oz. lean gr beef: cal 240 / protein 28g
4 oz. cooked black beans: cal 113 / protein 7.5g
4 oz. cooked lima beans: cal 108 / protein 7g
4 oz. raw almonds: cal 644 / protein 24g
2 hardboild eggs: cal 156 / protein 12.6

As you can see from the chart, you get a lot more mileage out of your calories by choosing fish or chicken. Keep in mind that this doesn't compare any other nutrient info (fat, fiber, vitamins/minerals). My doctor who is a cyclist and bikes 100 miles each weekend, only eats poultry or fish 2-3 times a week, the rest of his protein comes from beans and nuts. He's exercising a lot and can afford to get his protein from these more calorically dense foods. For me, he suggested sticking with chicken and fish and only eating red meat once a month. Two years ago, this program with lots of exercise worked wonders for me. Now? I'm hoping it will do the same! Also, despite the lower protein/calorie ratio of beans, I still eat them in moderation. Beans have something that chicken and fish just don't have: FIBER! I try to eat a serving of beans or oats or other whole grain, at least once a day. Usually twice.

Hope this helps!

[Quietus]

Personally I eat almost exclusively chicken and turkey, with the occasional steak if I go to a restaurant. My reasoning it: The main purpose of eating meat is to get protein, so it only makes sense to get the piece of meat with the highest % protein content and lowest % fat content, so you get the most out of your calories.

A boneless, skinless chicken breast or lean ground turkey meat has very little fat it it, to get a piece of red meat with a comparably low level of fat you'd need to be buying something like filet mignon which is expensive. I eat pretty substantial quantities of chicken (sometimes 10-12oz at a time for dinner) and could not afford to sustain that habit with red meat.

Having said that theres nothing wrong with dietary fat, even saturated fat in moderation but I prefer to get mine from other sources like nuts, not from fat on the sides of meat.

[dshelton]

Ah, the quality of your protein. Protein can be broken down into two types vegetable and animal. Vegetable protein has the least amount of calories and is accompanies by fiber. So the veggie burgers and tofu are great. Beans are also another great source of vegetable protein as well as soy beans.

As far as animal protein fish is the absolute best. Just don't bread or fry it. Next is chicken. Once again don't bread or fry. Next is turkey, followed by lean beef and finally pork because of its salt concentration. I would go with as much fish as I could since it has a lot of omega 3 and omega 6 which is good for the heart. Chicken and turkey are great to use for variety and still be pretty lean. I would eat beef and pork on special occasions or on a meal off no more than a couple of times a week.

[cookie6815]

Thanks everyone for such great advice. It is appreciated. Now looking at the breakdown I realize I need some changes. More turkey and fish perfect

[Vonderbach]

I was reading some posts on another forum and they were discussing the calorie content of fried chicken. In an effort to underdtand, I asked them why they were consuming fried chicken when baked chicken was sooooo much better for you.

They replied by saying that they were on thhe Atkins diet and that it was ok to eat fried chicken.

I'm not knocking the diet (to each their own) but that logic just makes me crazy with contradictions. It's like eating a bag of celery with peanut butter and then claiming that you had a salad.......

[Rue]

Deli meats (smoked, etc.) are not a healthy option. Once in a while, no problem, but not as a staple in your diet.

Red meat and colon cancer...well, these are the kinds of studies I wonder about because they're always rather vague as to amounts/quality etc. Again, eat healthy red meat options in moderation and don't worry about it.

BTW: It's like drinking guidelines:

They tell you that drinking is bad. Okay. Then they say don't have more than 2 glasses of alchohol per day. Okay. THEN they say better not to drink AT ALL. Excuse me? Which is it?

Well, what about those of us who have a glass or two a week? Or what about me - I'm down to a glass a month (if that lately).

So even within recommendations, they often don't make sense.

[hollee]

I was watching a program about weight loss and an over weight guy said that he likes his red meat and that he knows he should cut down some but not all. He also said that his Brother, who is a Doctor has been a vegetarian all his life and sadly is battling cancer. So he feels that when it's your time it's your time, whether you eat meat or not.

I have been a huge meat eater, now though I have cut down on my red meat and added more fish, mostly salmon and tuna.

As long as the meat is lean I think it is ok, Oh I also have cut down my portion size.

[justme]

I really like red meat and pork. I don't eat chicken at all. I sometime eat turkey and fish or tofu and vegeterian burgers (low cal/low carb) as I like them. Many people stop with red meat and pork when attempting weight loss. Just curious is red meat and pork hindering my weight loss? If yes I may be willing to change it up a bit. If not I will continue to eat lean protien and vegetables. Please add your input as it is welcomed.

I’m not a nutritionist so take this for what it is worth.

I don’t know if stopping or cutting back on Red meat will assist in weight loss but I have cut out red meat and I am losing weight. However I do not know if that is because I am no longer eating red meat and that is causing me to lose weight all by itself or if it is because I am feeling better and have more energy which translates into more movement which then helps with weight loss. Still eat Chicken, turkey and fish and I am certain that I will have some pork soon but overall I am eating considerably less red meat.

Basically I feel less lethargic therefore I seem to be more active.

[Rue]

It's impossible to say for certain, even with yourself. You could do a study on yourself if you wanted to...

Spend a set amount of time eating the exact same diet every day...

Study one: Predetermined diet without any meat.
Study two: Predetermined diet with ONLY chicken/turkey added.
Study three: Predetermined diet with ONLY red meat added.

Then you could potentially see if you feel better witih one options vs. the other...

...and just hope you don't get a cold or a bug during one of those periods which would throw off your results...lol...

BTW...if you have some allergy or insensitivity to some chemical componenent of white or red meat that would also affect how you feel. The daughter of an acquaintance has developed a sensitivity to beef. But she can eat bison. Go figure.

[Obesity Discussion]

Personally I eat almost exclusively chicken and turkey, with the occasional steak if I go to a restaurant. My reasoning it: The main purpose of eating meat is to get protein, so it only makes sense to get the piece of meat with the highest % protein content and lowest % fat content, so you get the most out of your calories.

I personally don't mind the extra calories in fish like salmon for example, because I know it's good fats that are giving me some Omega 3 nutrients.