The Goods: Beef can actually be healthier than chicken, fish or tofu (2024)

FAQs

Is beef healthier than tofu? ›

Lean beef (defined by government guidelines as having less than 10 grams total fat, 4.5 grams or less saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3.5 ounces) can be healthier than chicken, fish - or tofu (bean curd) for that matter - depending on how much is eaten and how it's prepared.

Compared to beef, chicken is a better source of protein. As a result of its high-fat content, beef is a higher fat and higher calorie meat. Chicken has more vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B1, B3, and B5. However, beef is significantly higher in folate and vitamin B12.

In general, red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) have more saturated fat than skinless chicken, fish and plant proteins. Saturated fats can raise your blood cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. If you eat poultry, pork, beef or other meats, choose lean meat, skinless poultry, and unprocessed forms.

As experts and enthusiasts in the seafood industry, we can safely say that seafood is the healthiest protein as it is an incredibly nutrient-dense food. The low fat, high protein content makes seafood healthier than meat. This is especially true about red meat.

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood.

[15] But there is little comparison, as the amount of omega-3 in fatty fish is about 10 times the amount in grass-fed beef. Even plant foods that contain ALA generally offer higher amounts than grass-fed beef.

Tofu nutrition. This meatless option is a staple for vegetarians, and rightfully so. It boasts more fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate than chicken and contains fewer calories.

A study places salmon, sardines and anchovies among the most beneficial types of fish due to their high protein content. Grilled, boiled or steamed, fish is nutritionally far more highly recommended than meat. In fact, there's little that can trump it.

You have probably heard it many times already: don't eat too much red meat or processed foods. But research shows processed red meats, like bacon, hot dogs, and salami are the biggest problem.

What is the healthiest fish to eat? ›

In contrast, a 3-ounce serving of cooked beef sirloin has around 180 calories and 26 grams of protein. Lastly, a 3-ounce serving of cooked shrimp contains only 84 calories but boasts 18 grams of protein. As you can see, shrimp is significantly lower in calories than both chicken and beef.

Is red meat inflammatory? Red meat is not inflammatory because there's no good evidence that red meat is more inflammatory than other meats. Some research shows red meat being less inflammatory, but there might be people who react to red meat differently and flare up.

“If we are talking about soy in its whole form such as edamame, tofu and whole soy milk, then it is healthier than meat in the sense that soy provides an excellent source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals — without the cholesterol and saturated fat found in meat,” she says.

Tempeh contains the most fiber and more protein than tofu because it contains the whole bean.

In addition to this, The Vegan Society have also previously pointed towards a report from the Environmental Working Group which showcases that the greenhouse gas emissions created by 1kg of tofu are far less than that of meats (6).