Step aside vegetarians and vegans — this is for my fellow predominantly carnivorous omnivores. I come to you with good news. Eating meat and being healthy doesn’t always have to be as unpleasant as the torched, atrociously under-seasoned Arrillaga chicken experience we Stanford students know too well. You can get your protein and have your taste, too. So what are the healthiest meats? Here’s my take on the beef.
1. Grass-fed Beef
Growing up a mile a way from a place called Beef ‘n Buns ‘n Paradise, it goes without saying that I am a beef aficionado. Grass-fed beef is healthier than grain-fed because the former has more protein, a lot less total fat, and two-thirds less saturated fat. Grass-fed beef also has three times the amount of Vitamin E, which is good for your immune system. Even better, grass-fed cows are better for the environment, so go green by going grass-fed.
2. Organic Turkey
News flash: gobbling turkey is acceptable before, during, and after Thanksgiving. As an excellent lean protein source, turkey contains a lot of selenium, which is an infection-fighting and immune-boosting mineral. Organic turkeys are not given antibiotics and are less likely to contain drug-resistant bacteria, unlike farmed turkeys. You can also up your burger game, by swapping ground turkey for ground beef.
3. Fish and Shellfish
Many fish and shellfish contain Omega-3s, which are essential heart-healthy fatty acids. Even shrimp offer some health benefits. Although higher in cholesterol, shrimp is lower in saturated and total fat than most other meats.
4. Sustainable Canned Fish
As an on-the-go college athlete, canned fish is one of my favorite protein-packed meats. Like fresh fish, canned fish also has a ton of Omega-3 fatty acids. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing like a piece of fresh Sockeye salmon, but canned salmon is just as healthy and is one of the cleanest fish you can buy. Just remember to check the harvesting and packaging process to make sure you’re eating sustainably sourced fish.
5. Organic Chicken
Chicken contains some of the highest levels of protein and is leaner than many of its beefy rivals. Organic chicken is preferable to factory-raised because it’s less likely to house the harmful substances hidden in the antibiotics given to its factory-housed counterpart.
6. Wild Game
This just in: you don’t have to purchase head-to-toe camo or pretend you know anything about hunting. Non-hunters can and should feast on wild game, too. Wild game — such as venison, pheasant, and rabbit — is a healthy meat option because it’s leaner than other meats. While not always carried in supermarkets, some, like Giant Foods, have now offer it in their deli sections. So keep calm, and wild game on.
7. Pork Tenderloin
Despite the unhealthy rep associated with all things delicious and of pig-origin (I’m talking about you, beloved bacon), the tenderloin cut is actually a healthy choice. In fact, pork tenderloin is nearly as lean as grilled chicken. Just like other meats though, it is best to steer clear of antibiotic-ridden, factory-raised pork. So next time your grilled chicken meal prep feels like a broken record, switch it up with pork tenderloin and pig out.
So there you have it, the healthiest meats you can buy at the grocery store. You can meet me in the meat section. Or in the corner of Arrillaga Dining, choking down my brutally overcooked grilled chicken and dreaming about my post-meal plan, kitchen-owning days.