It’s no secret that we all love a big hunk of red meat on our plate. However, the terms ‘healthy’ and ‘red meat’ are barely used together in a sentence; we’re about to change that. Here is a list of healthy meats that you can grill on your next BBQ party.
Bison
Bison or Buffalo meat was once on the endangered species list but thanks to preservation efforts, they’ve made a comeback and are now available in meat patties at most meat shops in Melbourne, Florida. A cousin to the cow, the buffalo is a much healthier alternative, containing low amounts of fat. How low? Well, if you compare a lean hamburger, it boasts around 10% fat which is twice what a buffalo burger of the same size contains.
Why the huge difference? Well, buffalos are grass fed compared to their cousins who get most of their nutrition from fodder and artificial nutrients. Another factor that makes buffalo a great choice for your next BBQ is that its texture and flavor are quite similar to that of beef. Check out your local meat markets for some delicious bison patties to use on your next BBQ.
Chicken
A distant relative to dinosaurs, the flightless bird is also one of the healthiest alternatives to red meat while being much more popular than bison. Don’t get us wrong, fried chicken may contain the most amounts of trans-fats of all meats, but right now we’re just talking about barbeque chicken.
The big advantage to chicken is that it’s much cheaper than red meat. It can also taste spectacular if prepared correctly and marinated properly. However, chicken is somewhat harder to BBQ for amateurs since the meat isn’t as thick as beef, and improperly prepared chicken can have some health risks. On the other hand, properly prepared chicken is an excellent source of protein but make sure not to overcook it. Heat it at a temperature of around 170F before laying it on the BBQ grill.
Pork
No, that’s not a typo. Pork, which has often been associated with the beer guts of most BBQ loving Melbourne, Florida residents, is actually much healthier for you if eaten in contained portions. Pork chops are, needless to say, the top choice for most BBQ lovers along with a side of BBQ sauce. A recent study found that around 90g of pork tenderloins contain almost the same amount of fat as the same amount of chicken, so don’t hesitate to take a bite or two.
Turkey
Turkey?! You didn’t see that coming did you! Is it even possible to barbeque the giant bird? The answer is yes; in fact, if prepared properly, turkey can be one of the most delicious BBQ dishes thanks to its richer taste and firmer texture. Besides that, turkey is also the lowest in fat of all the above choices (about 6grams in a 120gram serving) while being the highest in protein.