Have you tried eating lamb meat before? Well, you might ask, are they really consumable? Hell yeah! This is a powerhouse of protein and essential nutrients, which are all beneficial for the health. Either you have already tried it or not, you may be are wondering if the lamb is a great choice or not. Well, apart from the wide-ranging nutrients, there are also lots of health benefits of lamb meat. All of these and more, you’ll find in this article. So if you are interested in knowing more facts about the lamb meat, give this article a read.
Lamb Meat: Is it a red meat? Is it healthy?
Is lamb meat a red meat? Yes, it falls into the category of red meat. You might ask, what makes a red meat, red meat. Actually, the amount of myoglobin in the animal muscles is what determines the color of the meat of an animal. In the case of the red meats, they have high levels of myoglobin, which is a protein that is present in the muscles, which changes to red when it combines with oxygen. As a kind of red meat, the lamb naturally possesses more iron and zinc than the other non-red meats.
An ounce of the regular lamb actually has the same number of calories as the grass-fed beef. Nevertheless, it has more health-stimulating omega 3 fatty acids. Furthermore, people also tend to get worried about the fat content of the lamb, yet lamb may have less content of fat inside the meat, in comparison to beef. Most of the fat in the lamb meat is all over the outside and may easily be cut.
Is it healthy? Well if you consume it in moderation, it is healthy. As a matter of fact, it is a great source of protein and essential nutrients. Even though red meats have some bad reputations, the high-quality red meats like the grass-fed lamb and beef are an excellent and really healthy source of protein when taken in moderation.
Nutritional Value of Lamb Meat
As for the nutritional content of the lamb meat, it is highly impressive. For instance, just three ounces of the lamb meat already contains the following essential nutrients:
| Principles | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Calories | 160 | – |
| Protein | 23.5 grams | – |
| Fat | 6.6 grams | – |
| Monounsaturated fat | 2.7 grams | – |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.7 micrograms | 45% |
| Zinc | 4.4 milligrams | 30% |
| Niacin | 4.9 milligrams | 24% |
| Riboflavin | 0.4 milligrams | 21% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4 milligrams | 20% |
| Phosphorus | 201 milligrams | 20% |
| Selenium | 9.2 micrograms | 13% |
| Iron | 2.1 milligrams | 12% |
| Potassium | 301 milligrams | 9% |
| Thiamine | 0.1 milligrams | 8% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.8 milligrams | 8% |
| Copper | 0.1 milligrams | 7% |
| Magnesium | 22.1 milligrams | 6% |
Health Benefits of Lamb Meat
Here are some of the most astounding health benefits of lamb meat:
- A powerhouse of protein. The protein in the lamb meat is actually made of essential amino acids that may only be acquired via the diets. The protein content of it is actually considered as complete proteins as they have all amino acids.
- Good source of CLA and omega-3 fatty acids. Lamb meat has fat in it, yet a part of which is an omega-3 fatty acid that’s anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, it can also provide CLA, which is a group of chemicals, which is essential in losing weight and improving the slender muscle mass.
- Good immune booster. There is an ample amount of zinc in the lamb meat. This essential nutrient is beneficial for the optimum immune system health, along with the wound healing, as well as in protein and DNA synthesis.
- Helps in promoting the nervous system health. Lamb is a great source of vitamin B12, which is beneficial in the promotion of the health of the nervous system. Not just that, it is also oozing with some other B vitamins, which are essential for the nervous system function.
- Excellent source of iron. Since it is a red meat, lamb meat has an ample amount of protein. This is essential in the improvement and the prevention of iron deficiency as well as the symptoms of anemia.
Precautions on Lamb Meat
Of course, it is not always about the health benefits of lamb meat. It may also cause some side effects. As a matter of fact, it is possible to get an allergic reaction to various types of meat. If you experience a runny nose, a stuffy nose, a sudden appearance of rashes, or feel nauseous after consuming lamb meat, it is possible that you are allergic to the lamb meat. You must withdraw from consuming lamb meat and seek some medical attention if the symptoms are severe. If you are not sure as to whether you are allergic to lamb meat or not, food allergy testing is a good thing to do.
Lamb, just like any other red meats contain cholesterol. Therefore, it must be consumed in moderation only. If you don’t and you have high cholesterol levels, you may be at risk of various health conditions. Trimming the lamb fat may help in keeping the cholesterol levels down.
