I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your attention that we’re in the middle of grilling season, and you’re probably spending a lot of time elbow deep in ground beef, forming patties and throwing them on the barbecue.
Nothing wrong with that, but a little variety never hurt anyone. Sure, you could eat nothing but chicken breasts every day, but it’s a far better idea to vary your protein sources by consuming different meats, such as these.
Ground Beef (4 oz. 90% lean, raw) 199 calories, 23 g protein, 0 g carbs, 11 g fat, 0 g fiber.
It’s hard to argue with the king. If you buy wisely, ground beef is an excellent, relatively lean source of protein. Don’t go lower than 90% lean. But beware of restaurant burgers. Besides being topped with fatty sauces, the meat is often much fattier. That’s one reason why nothing beats grilling your burger at home.
Ground Turkey (4 oz. 93% lean, raw) 140 calories, 16 g protein, 0 g carbs, 8 g fat, 0 g fiber.
You want lean? Ground turkey breast is readily available and is 93% lean. However, without much fat to give them sticking power, ground turkey burgers often end up a little crumbly. To combat this, add one whole egg to the meat before grilling. The yolk’s fat will bind the turkey but won’t add much to your bottom line.
Ground Pork (4 oz. extra lean, raw) 180 calories, 35 g protein, 0 g carbs, 4 g fat, 0 g fiber.
For a different burger flavor, try using half ground beef, half ground pork. Not only is pork lean, but the majority of its fat is monounsaturated. Most meat has saturated fat, the kind linked with clogged arteries and other health woes. Substituting pork for beef occasionally is a heart-healthy idea.
Ground Beefalo (4 oz. raw) 164 calories, 28 g protein, 0 g carbs, 5 g fat, 0 g fiber.
Strange as it seems, there’s actually an animal called a beefalo – it’s part cow, part buffalo. I’m not sure how they managed that one, but beefalo meat is extraordinarily lean, way more than either buffalo or beef. The flavor is close to that of beef, too, which means it’s a great, less fatty alternative to beef burgers.
Ground Ostrich (4 oz. raw) 186 calories, 23 g protein, 0 g carbs, 10 g fat, 0 g fiber.
Since the animal can’t fly, ostrich is technically all dark meat. In fact, ostrich wranglers call it “red meat.” Unlike the dark meat from turkey, ostrich is relatively lean. As a bonus, the fat it does have is, like pork’s, primarily unsaturated. That means good things for your arteries – and your taste buds. [via]