When shopping for meat at your local butcher, it’s important to understand the fat and cholesterol content of each cut. By incorporating lean meats into your diet, you can enjoy low-calorie, high-protein meals that contribute to healthy lifestyles and weight loss goals without sacrificing flavor. Here’s a helpful guide on lean meats so you know what to order for your next barbecue. 

What You Should Know About Lean Meats

What Beef Cuts Should You Choose?

According to USDA guidelines, beef cuts are considered lean when a serving contains less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and 95 milligrams of cholesterol. Lean cuts include flap steak, filet mignon, and porterhouse steak.

Beef is deemed “extra lean” when it has less than 5 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, and 95 milligrams of cholesterol. Cuts in this category include top round, eye of round roast and steak, sirloin tip side steak, and bottom round roasts and steaks.

What Pork Options Are Considered Lean?

There are eight different cuts of pork that fall under USDA guidelines. This includes pork tenderloin, sirloin pork chop, pork loin roast, and sirloin pork roast, as well as New York, Porterhouse, and Ribeye pork chops.

Depending on their preparation, these cuts of pork are also lower in calories or on par with chicken pieces. If you’re unsure during the next visit to the butcher, select a “loin” or “chop” when going lean. 

What Chicken Pieces are Leanest?

Skinless chicken breasts are your best bet when you want to enjoy lean meats from this fowl. While white meat is leanest, chicken thighs are also relatively lean after the skin has been removed. To maximize the health benefits, cook chicken by roasting, grilling, baking, or broiling instead of deep-frying the cuts in oil. 

If you’re looking for a friendly local butcher that has a variety of meat cuts to satisfy any diet or party, ​Hammann's Catering, Butcher Shop & Deli in Cincinnati, OH, has you covered. This family butcher and catering company has served residents throughout the Tri-State area for five decades. To learn more about their offerings and party trays, call (513) 858-3237. Browse their virtual shop and read testimonials from happy customers on their website.