Lamb meat boasts a number of benefits. It is packed with nutrients, lower in fat than mutton, and has a much milder taste. In this post, we’ll go over the benefits of buying fresh lamb meat, paying attention to its nutrient content..
What’s the Difference Between Lamb and Mutton?
Lamb comes from a young sheep. To qualify as lamb, the sheep must be no older than 12 months when harvested. The meat tends to be more tender and has a much milder flavor than mutton.
It is a little more expensive to buy lamb meat than mutton, but the flavor profile makes the slight extra expense worthwhile.
Lamb is classified as red meat due to the high quantities of myoglobin found in it. It is also found in chicken and turkey, but not in nearly the same quantities.
What Are the Quality Grades?
There are several grades of sheep meat quality. It will be classified as lamb, mutton, or yearling. The age of the sheep, fat streaking, conformation, and the firmness of the lean meat are all factors. About 80 percent of the homegrown lamb in the United States is USDA Choice or USDA Prime.
The nutrient profile between the different grades is pretty similar. Overall, it is a very nutrient-dense food.
Check Out Some Of Our Favorite Grilled Lamb Recipes
What Nutrients are Packed Into American Lamb Meat?
The nutritional profile of lamb is impressive. It is high in protein, healthy fats, minerals, and vitamins. Three ounces of lamb contains fewer than ten grams of fat, which meats the Food and Drug Administration’s definition for lean meat. Eating this protein can help keep your body’s muscle mass when losing weight.
Calories and Macronutrients
Lamb can make a nutritious addition to a low-carb diet. It is primarily made up of fat and protein. It contains equal quantities of monounsaturated and saturated fats. It is rich in oleic acid, an essential fatty acid that you’ll probably know as omega-9. This is the same kind of fatty acid that is found in olive oil.
The meat also provides a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. . If you want to be sure of the maximum amount of fatty acids, do choose lamb that has been pasture-raised, or at least grass-fed. Superior Farms’ lambs are always raised without artificial or synthetic growth hormones. We pride ourselves on providing sustainable American Lamb meat 100% of the time.
Vitamins and Minerals
As one of the most nutrient-dense meats, lamb scores big points. It is a great source of several vitamins and minerals. Most particularly, you’ll find:
- Iron
- Selenium
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- B vitamins
American lamb meat is also packed full of a wide variety of other nutrients:
- L-carnosine
- Heme Iron
- Creatine
- Glutathione
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Why You Should Add Lamb to the Menu
Nutrient profile aside, there are many other reasons to start chowing down on this meat. Lamb contains a plethora of healthy compounds and amino acids that boost your immune system and promote better health.
- 40% of the fat within lean cuts of lamb is monounsaturated. This is the same kind of fat that is found in olive oil.
- The ounces of lamb fits easily within the daily fat, saturated fat and cholesterol recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A 3-ounce serving of lamb provides nearly five times the essential omega-3 fatty acids and alpha linoleic acid of a 3-ounce serving of beef.
- Recent research suggests that eating protein can help preserve lean body mass when you’re trying to lose weight. An average 3-ounce serving of lamb, which has 175 calories and meets nearly half of your daily protein needs, encourages feelings of fullness that may prevent overeating, a combination key to weight management.
- On average, 3-ounce serving of lamb meets the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) definition for lean meat: fewer than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces.
Check Out Some Of Our Favorite Braised Lamb Recipes
American Lamb Meat: A Nutritious Choice
Whatever way you slice it, including lamb into your diet makes sense. It is a healthy source of protein that is very versatile. It contains a wide assortment of vital nutrients and is particularly rich in vitamins and minerals. Next time you see lamb meat for sale, stock up. You can chow down with confidence knowing you’re doing your body a favor.
Check Out Some Of Our Favorite Roasted Lamb Recipes
These are just a few recommendations for enjoying delicious American lamb. For more, explore our recipes page.
