Lamb meat is famous worldwide for its culinary varieties and health benefits. The flavor of its meat, bone, and other body parts is enjoyed as other meat varieties. Lamb is generally a young sheep, whereas, the mature sheep meat is called mutton. It is not as easily available and cost-effective as other red meats like beef, pork, etc. because of their benefits.
Moreover, lamb meat has less fat compared to beef. It is a good source of iron, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Having all these qualities won’t make anything good. Is lamb good for you? Many people also have this doubt.
Dive into the article and take a look at the nutritional qualities of lamb meat and understand the health benefits to know how and when you should consume it.
Nutritional Profile of Lamb
High-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and varying amounts of fat are the nutritional facts of lamb. Let’s see what is there in 100 grams of roasted or cooked lamb.
| Calories – | 198 Cal |
| Protein – | 25 grams |
| Water – | 55 |
| Sugar – | 0 |
| Fat – | 16 |
| Carbohydrates – | 0 |
All these essential components together make lamb meat healthy and suitable for a balanced diet. But, moderation is essential since it contains saturated fat content, which can cause heart health risks. But, wise preparation and diet can reduce its effects. In addition, the caloric content of lamb is also considerable but lesser than beef, therefore it may not be suitable for weight management diets until you are watching the overall calorie intake.
Protein in Lamb
Protein content in lamb helps in muscle building and development. High-quality proteins also promote essential amino acids which help in the overall body functions.
Some of the amino acids essential for making protein are lysine, methionine, valine, threonine, leucine, tryptophan, etc. play important roles in overall muscle maintenance and protein building.
Moreover, lamb meat will help in repairing tissues and muscles. It also contributes to satiety which in turn helps in weight management, but the overall calorie intake should be reduced.
Saturated and Unsaturated Fat in Lamb
The fat content in lamb is 16 grams for a 100-gram serving size, and it has more unsaturated fat which is considered to be ‘good’ for the body. It helps in reducing blood pressure and managing the cholesterol level.
The amount of fat also contributes to calories, hence lamb contains fewer calories when compared to chicken and beef. Omega-3 and oleic acid are two essential components in lamb, which have anti-inflammatory properties and fatty acids that have no side effects on heart health similar to unsaturated fat.
Saturated fat in lamb contributes to heart health risks if consumed excessively due to its impact on LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol. A lean cut or direct trimming of visible fat in the meat can help reduce the fat content and make it suitable for a healthy diet.
Vitamins and Minerals Found in Lamb
Vitamins are essential for the overall body functioning and metabolism. Lamb contains vitamins B1, B2, and E which support skin health. These vitamins help the metabolism restore skin cells and prevent several diseases.
Lamb is a good source of iron which makes it healthy and suitable for anemic people. Iron contributes to producing hemoglobin and thereby transporting oxygen through red blood cells.
Lamb provides potassium in a high amount contributing to the stability of heart functions. Another mineral found in lamb is selenium which contributes to thyroid functions, metabolism, and proper functioning of the body.
Zinc is essential for the growth, development, cell structure, and DNA formation, etc. In addition, it helps in the formation of insulin and testosterone. Also, phosphorus in lamb helps in the maintenance of tissues and cells.
Lamb Consumption and Considerations
If you are highly health conscious following a balanced diet or have any health preferences, you need to be careful about your lamb consumption. Though it contributes to several health benefits, there are certain downsides or risks to be considered.
Lamb has both saturated and unsaturated fat in it, therefore, excess consumption can lead to heart diseases.
For some reason, lamb includes high calories, which can contribute to weight gain by an increase in caloric intake. Try to eat in moderate quantities.
If you have any allergies to red meat or lamb, it is necessary to find it and go for any alternatives for health benefits.
Include vegetables and other nutrient-rich food along with lamb to control the overall intake of calories and nutrients.
Individuals with heart disease or any special health considerations must be aware of lamb intake.
Lamb in a Well-balanced Diet
How to incorporate lamb into a well-balanced diet? You might be confused about this after reading all the benefits and downsides of lamb meat. There are certain steps to follow to make it a healthy dish.
- Always choose a moderate quantity with other nutrient-rich food to balance the intake.
- You can also include fish, chicken, and plant proteins to enhance the taste and nutrients at the same time.
- It is mandatory to choose the preparation method if you are focussing on health. Deep-fried meat will not do good to your body and heart. Hence, go for a well-cooked, grilled lamb meat.
Conclusion
Being red meat, lamb contributes to several health benefits which can be increased if consumed in a moderate quantity and healthy way. It is a rich source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Cook well and eat well to make it a part of your diet with nutrient-rich foods to contribute to the overall functioning of your body.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Saturated fat is comparatively low in lamb, hence it can be avoided in many ways such as opting for a lean cut, etc. Hence, you can maintain the cholesterol level by removing the visible fat and moderate eating.
Lamb meat is from young sheep, which is a good source of protein with soft flesh and contains fatty acids that other red meat does not have.