Which steak is the healthiest? (2023)

What is the unhealthiest cut of steak?

Is that true? The answer: When it comes to nutrients – protein, iron, zinc, etc. – there's no difference between steak that is cooked medium rare or well done. The concern is that meat cooked until it's well done contains more potential carcinogens called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) than meat cooked for a shorter time.

According to White, “Sirloin steak tends to be one of the leanest cuts of beef making it a great option in a health-conscious diet. When comparing cuts of beef, look for [a] lower amount of saturated fats per serving.”

Liver. Liver, particularly beef liver, is one of the most nutritious meats you can eat. It's a great source of high-quality protein; vitamins A, B12, B6; folic acid; iron; zinc; and essential amino acids.

Beef has a few nutritious advantages over chicken, as it contains more iron and zinc. These substances are essential for our immune systems and brain development. However, chicken is much better for your cardiovascular health, because it has less cholesterol and saturated fat than beef.

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.

Most chefs opt for a ribeye as being one of the best cuts of meat. A ribeye has everything – from the way it holds together to the fat marbling, and when thickly-butchered, it simply makes for an excellent steak.

Apart from protein and iron, steak is incredibly rich in other nutrients that our bodies need to function, like carnosine and creatine which help our muscles and brains to function. In fact, those who don't eat meat have historically shown to be low in these nutrients.

Lean cuts of red meat can be a great source protein and other nutrients when you are trying to lose weight. Several studies have shown that higher protein, low to moderate carb diets are very effective for weight loss.

What steak has the least saturated fat?

Stick with round, sirloin, or loin.

These cuts of meat are typically less fatty than others. The National Cattleman's Beef Association top five lean cuts are: Eye of round – 1.4 g saturated fat, 4 g total fat. Sirloin tip side steak – 1.6 g saturated fat, 4.1 g total fat.

The reason red meat is such a celebrated superfood in the ancestral and paleo communities is because it's exploding with highly absorbable nutrients.

Skinless, lean, and ground chicken or turkey breast are good low-cholesterol choices. 100g of lean cuts of turkey breast contain around 104mg of cholesterol. While this seems like a lot, it only has 3g of saturated fat. 100g of skinless chicken breast contains 73mg of cholesterol and 0.5g of saturated fat.

Eating too much red meat comes with health risks and is not part of a healthy diet,” says Stephen Hu, MD, a cardiologist at Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley. “Red meat is high in cholesterol, saturated fats and sodium. It should be eaten in a limited fashion.”

More Health Benefits of Eating Steak

Red meats are an ultimate source of protein, which is a fundamental building block for your muscles. Protein helps repair and grow new muscle cells, which can keep your body lean and fighting off fat.

Shrimp is a great food to include in your diet. It's not only high in protein but also low in calories, carbs, and fat. Three ounces (85 grams) of shrimp contain 12 grams of protein and only 60 calories ( 11 ). Shrimp is rich in selenium, choline, and vitamin B12.

Processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, salami and cold cuts, contain high levels of preservatives. Sodium, for example, raises blood pressure and stroke risk, while the body converts nitrites to cancer-causing nitrosamines. Lean or not, these products aren't healthy.

There are eight different USDA beef grades: prime, choice, select, standard, commercial, utility, cutter and canner. Prime being the highest beef quality and canner being the lowest.

What meat has the most bacteria?

Chicken. Chicken tends to be responsible for the most foodborne illnesses, but that is likely because it's the kind of meat we eat the most. Many cases of food contamination come from the mishandling of meats and cross-contamination in our own kitchens.

Is canned tuna fish good for you? Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus. Tuna also contains healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA.

1. Spinach. This leafy green tops the chart as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. That's because 1 cup (30 grams) of raw spinach provides 16% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A plus 120% of the DV for vitamin K — all for just 7 calories ( 1 ).

Rib-eye: The chef's favourite.