Is Elk Meat Lower in Cholesterol Than Beef

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Is Elk Meat Healthy? Summit 6 Benefits of Elk Meat Nutrition

February 25, 2018

Elk meat may non make a regular appearance in your family's weekly dinner rotation, but maybe information technology should. High in protein, low in fat, and jam-packed with tons of vitamins and minerals, elk meat is truly a powerhouse of nutrition.

Non simply is information technology healthy, but it's also incredibly versatile. You tin swap it in place of beef in merely about whatever recipe to add a kicking of season and a hint of sweetness, plus cut down on the fatty and calories of your repast too.

So what is elk meat adept for, how can y'all use it and where tin yous buy elk meat? Here's everything you need to know about this nutritious game meat.

Is Elk Meat Salubrious? Elk Meat Diet Facts

Elk meat is a nutrient-dense food, meaning that it's low in calories just contains a concentrated amount of many vitamins and minerals. It's low in carbohydrates and fat simply high in protein, zinc, vitamin B12, niacin and vitamin B6.

A three-ounce portion of cooked, pan-broiled elk meat contains approximately: (1)

164 calories
0 grams carbohydrates
22.vi grams protein
7.4 grams fat
5.6 milligrams zinc (37 percent DV)
2.2 micrograms vitamin B12 (36 pct DV)
4.v milligrams niacin (23 per centum DV)
188 milligrams phosphorus (19 percent DV)
0.4 milligram vitamin B6 (18 percent DV)
0.iii milligram riboflavin (sixteen per centum DV)
2.8 milligrams atomic number 26 (16 percent DV)
7.8 micrograms selenium (11 percent DV)
301 milligrams potassium (ix percent DV)
0.ix milligram panthothenic acid (9 per centum DV)
0.1 milligram thiamine (7 percentage DV)
0.1 milligram copper (6 percent DV)
20.4 milligrams magnesium (5 percent DV)

Elk meat also contains small amounts of vitamin East, folate and calcium.

Elk Meat Benefits

High in Protein
Aids in Weight Loss
Promotes Immune Health
Helps Prevent Anemia
Boosts Brain Health
Strengthens Basic

1. High in Protein

Poly peptide is a crucial component of many aspects of health. Your body needs poly peptide to build and repair tissues, produce enzymes and hormones, and form the foundation of your muscles, peel and bones. A protein deficiency tin can result in stunted growth, an increased appetite and a greater risk of infection.

Elk is an excellent source of protein. In fact, with about 23 grams of poly peptide in each three-ounce serving, the footing elk nutrition facts are comparable to other healthy poly peptide foods similar chicken and turkey. Including even merely 1 serving in your day as function of a good for you diet can help you hands meet your poly peptide needs.

2. Aids in Weight Loss

With well-nigh 23 grams of poly peptide and only 164 calories in a 3-ounce serving of ground elk meat, this nutritious red meat makes a slap-up addition to any weight loss diet. Its protein content, in particular, may be able to help ward off cravings and reduce hunger.

Co-ordinate to a study published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Diet, increasing dietary protein intake past 15 percent may upshot in increased satiety and decreased caloric intake. (2) Some other study out of kingdom of the netherlands showed that eating a high-protein breakfast reduced levels of ghrelin, the hormone responsible for stimulating hunger, to a greater extent than a high-carb breakfast. (3)

3. Promotes Immune Wellness

Elk meat is a great source of zinc, an important mineral that plays a central part in the wellness of your immune system. Zinc acts as an antioxidant to neutralize disease-causing free radicals, aids in the development of immune cells and is involved in the production of cytokines. (4)

One report conducted past researchers at Wayne State University Schoolhouse of Medicine in Detroit and the University of Michigan showed that supplementing older adults with zinc led to a reduction in the incidence of infection and decreased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation. (5) Similarly, a 2012 review compiled the results of 17 studies and showed that zinc supplementation may be effective in reducing the duration of the mutual cold. (6)

4. Helps Foreclose Anemia

Anemia is a condition characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells in the body. Information technology can cause symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, paleness, dizziness and a fast heartbeat.

Although there are many types of anemia, some of the virtually common are caused by deficiencies in important micronutrients. Fortunately, elk meat is rich in several of the vitamins and minerals involved in ruby-red claret cell production. It's specially high in vitamin B12 and iron, 2 nutrients that are necessary to prevent atomic number 26-deficiency anemia and pernicious anemia. (7)

five. Boosts Brain Health

A growing body of research has established that there is a clear link between what you put on your plate and your focus, memory, cognitive part and mental health.

Many of the nutrients establish in elk meat accept been shown to influence encephalon health. Vitamin B12, for instance, has been shown to play a role in memory and learning. (8) According to a study out of the Rush Institute for Good for you Aging, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, niacin may also exist protective against Alzheimer's affliction and age-related cerebral pass up. (ix) Meanwhile, other studies suggest that low levels of vitamin B6 could be associated with low, and supplementation may aid in improving mental health. (ten, xi)

6. Strengthens Bones

As yous get older, bones can start to sparse and become weak and breakable. Conditions like osteoporosis can significantly increase the risk of fractures and even create changes in posture due to os loss. (12)

Elk meat is high in 50-methionine, an essential amino acid that helps keep bones strong. One creature report published in theJournal of Nutrition showed that 50-methionine paired with endurance exercise decreased bone mass just helped raise intrinsic bone strength. (13)

Elk meat is also high in phosphorus, some other nutrient that is an integral part of bone health. In fact, well-nigh 85 percentage of phosphorus is found in the bones and teeth. (14) A report in 2015 even constitute that phosphorus intake was associated with increased os mineral content and os mass density, plus a lower hazard of fractures. (fifteen)

Is Elk Meat Healthier than Beef? Elk Meat vs. Beefiness

Elk meat is oft swapped in for beef in recipes, but how does elk meat and grass-fed beef compare nutritionally and which one is healthier?

Gram for gram, ground elk meat contains nigh half the calories of ground beef and significantly less fat. It'southward also much college in protein besides every bit important minerals like atomic number 26, making information technology an excellent choice to use in place of beef if y'all're looking to switch it up from fourth dimension to time.

How does the elk vs. beef taste compare? While these two meats do have a similar flavor contour, elk meat is by and large more tender with a distinct flavor that differentiates it from beef. Information technology'southward often described as slightly sweetness and without the gamey taste that you might be expecting.

Elk Meat vs. Bison Meat vs. Lamb Meat

Bison meat is another blazon of game meat that'due south a pop alternative to beefiness in recipes like chili, burgers and meatloaf. Much like elk, it's also well-known for its extensive nutrient contour and potential health benefits.

However, there are some differences between elk vs. bison meat in terms of diet. In detail, elk meat is slightly lower in calories and fat and likewise contains a higher amount of protein. Nonetheless, both are skillful sources of micronutrients like iron, zinc and B vitamins.

Elk meat is also often compared to lamb meat, a blazon of red meat produced from sheep that are less than one year former. Lamb meat provides a like set of nutrients every bit elk meat, containing lots of protein, vitamins and minerals with minimal amounts of fat and calories.

Lamb meat has a mild, sweet and fresh season that tin also be used in a wide assortment of dishes. It'due south a popular choice for blimp cabbage rolls, kebabs and roasts, just can also be used in place of beef in well-nigh recipes.

Where to Find and How to Select the Best Elk Meat

Wondering where to buy elk meat? While you lot may not observe information technology sitting on the shelf at your local grocery shop, there are plenty of suppliers that do have information technology on hand or can special club it for you.

Many farms and specialty butcher shops carry hard-to-find types of meat like rabbit, duck, deer and elk. Online retailers have also started selling elk and other game meats, which are frozen and shipped conveniently straight to your door.

But is elk meat expensive? The prices depend on both the supplier and the cut of meat that you select, merely elk meat by and large does price more than than other types of meat like beef or pork. If purchasing online, for example, one pound of ground elk costs effectually $10–$15 while elk tenderloin runs around $xx–$50 per pound. If you lot take a large enough freezer and are able to find bulk elk meat for sale, you're more than likely to get a better deal on the elk meat price per pound.

At that place are many cuts of elk meat bachelor depending on your preference. Sirloin steaks, tenderloin filets and cube steaks are neat for grilling while stew meat and ground elk are more than versatile and ideal if you're merely giving elk a try for the first time. You tin can also go for offal, or organ meats, to get in a full-bodied dose of vitamins and minerals, though it can be even more challenging to find and may require you to look across your local butcher.

As always, buy from a trusted and reliable source, and purchase locally if possible. Additionally, opt for organic, grass-fed elk free of antibiotics, hormones and steroids to ensure yous're getting the best quality.

Elk Meat Uses and Elk Meat Recipes

Since most of your elk meat will likely be stored in the freezer, you'll need to thaw it out earlier y'all tin can utilise it. Ideally, you lot should thaw information technology slowly to minimize the loss of moisture from the meat. Place it in a pan or container to catch any drippings, and and so put it in the refrigerator for one to ii days and allow it to thaw. If y'all're in a rush, you can also seal it in a plastic bag and run cold water over it to thaw it out quicker.

Elk meat tin exist used in place of other red meats in your favorite recipes. It'south very tender and flavorful, and the elk meat taste is often compared to beef. Keep in mind that elk is lean, so it tin can easily go stale out and overcooked if you're non careful. Cooking information technology low and deadening or hot and fast are your best bets when it comes to retaining maximum moisture.

Apply ground elk in chili or stew, effort shredding and slow-cooking information technology to add to sandwiches, or burn down up the grill and serve a savory elk steak.

Need some more inspiration? Here are a few other elk meat and ground elk meat recipes that you can outset experimenting with:

Elk Meatloaf
Spicy Asian Venison Basin
Ho-hum Cooker Hearty Elk & Vegetable Stew
Elk Meatballs with Sweet & Spicy Sauce
Mushroom Stuffed Venison Tenderloin

History

The elk, likewise known every bit wapiti, is 1 of the largest members of the deer family unit every bit well every bit ane of the biggest land mammals native to Due north America and Eastern Asia. Over the years, elk take been introduced to several other countries around the globe and tin can now fifty-fifty be plant in places similar New Zealand and Argentina.

For the majority of the twelvemonth, elk stay with members of the same sexual activity until mating season. During this period, the males compete for the attention of the female and even engage in practices like antler wrestling. Elk tend to live between ten–15 years in the wild and fifty-fifty longer in captivity.

Unfortunately, elk are especially susceptible to disease and parasitic infections that can often be fatal. Atmospheric condition like chronic wasting disease, brucellosis and elk hoof illness have all been recorded in elk populations.

In addition to meat production, elk are likewise known for their antler velvet. This is a type of young tissue that surrounds the bone and cartilage on the antlers of deer or elk. The velvet is extracted and made into supplements similardeer antler spray as well equally pills and powders. It contains amino acids, growth factors and collagen and is typically used to promote musculus force, articulation health and endurance, though enquiry on its benefits has turned up mixed results.

Precautions

Elk meat nutrition boasts a long list of of import nutrients and potential wellness benefits, but there are some precautions that you should accept when calculation information technology into your diet.

Wild game meat tin can carry parasites that could be passed on to humans and cause infection. Be sure to properly shop your meat in the refrigerator or freezer and cook to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce the adventure of infection. If you experience any negative side effects subsequently eating elk meat, talk to your physician.

Avert processed varieties of elk meat that have been cured, smoked or salted. Not only has processed meat been identified equally carcinogenic, merely some studies show that it may also contribute to heart disease and other types of chronic disease. (sixteen, 17)

Finally, elk meat may have some benefits over beefiness, but it's still considered red meat. Excess red meat consumption has been associated with an increased gamble of several chronic conditions, including colorectal cancer, coronary centre disease and diabetes, so keep intake moderate. (eighteen)

Final Thoughts

Elk meat is a type of game meat that tin exist easily substituted for beef in many recipes, from stews to sandwiches and more.
Elk meat nutrition is low in calories and fat but loftier in protein and several micronutrients, including zinc, vitamin B12, niacin, vitamin B6 and phosphorus.
Potential benefits of adding elk meat to your diet include increased weight loss, improved allowed part, a reduced risk of anemia, and improve brain and os health.
Be sure to buy from a trusted source and add elk meat in moderation to a healthy, well-rounded diet to truly have advantage of this nutritious type of meat.