For years we’ve been told that, when it comes to our health, we need to pay attention to the kinds of meat we’re eating. Red meat or white meat… which is better? There have been numerous studies that have linked red meat consumption to increased health risks including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers. While this information can help us make healthier choices, we still have to be able to identify red meat from white.
But it’s not that easy.
For instance, dietary resources will generally categorize “white meat” as fish and poultry and “red meat” as land animals like beef, pork and lamb. But in culinary circles, veal is typically considered white meat and duck or goose red.
How does science differentiate between the two? By …show more content…
Yet there are conflicting studies that show no correlation between saturated fats and heart disease and stroke.
But not all saturated fat is created equal, and depending on what a cow eats, the red meat may contain more or less of the good kind. Grass-fed beef contains higher levels of stearic acid than grain-fed. The higher the levels of stearic acid, the lower the levels of palmitic and myristic acid, which are more likely to raise cholesterol.
What About the Cooking Method?
Of course we can’t talk about which meats are the healthier choice without discussing cooking methods. Animal proteins, no matter what color it is, can produce carcinogenic and atherogenic compounds (cancer-causing compounds) when cooked at high temperatures. So, whether you are char-broiling a juicy burger or slow-braising a pot roast, both methods could cause potential health risks.
As you can see, the meat debate is not clear cut, and each study adds to the confusion. If you and your family eat meat, what can you do to make the healthiest choices?
Here are some keep things to keep in
But it’s not that easy.
For instance, dietary resources will generally categorize “white meat” as fish and poultry and “red meat” as land animals like beef, pork and lamb. But in culinary circles, veal is typically considered white meat and duck or goose red.
How does science differentiate between the two? By …show more content…
Yet there are conflicting studies that show no correlation between saturated fats and heart disease and stroke.
But not all saturated fat is created equal, and depending on what a cow eats, the red meat may contain more or less of the good kind. Grass-fed beef contains higher levels of stearic acid than grain-fed. The higher the levels of stearic acid, the lower the levels of palmitic and myristic acid, which are more likely to raise cholesterol.
What About the Cooking Method?
Of course we can’t talk about which meats are the healthier choice without discussing cooking methods. Animal proteins, no matter what color it is, can produce carcinogenic and atherogenic compounds (cancer-causing compounds) when cooked at high temperatures. So, whether you are char-broiling a juicy burger or slow-braising a pot roast, both methods could cause potential health risks.
As you can see, the meat debate is not clear cut, and each study adds to the confusion. If you and your family eat meat, what can you do to make the healthiest choices?
Here are some keep things to keep in