Did you know 24 to 34 per cent of people’s total food intake comprises Meat? Yes! Meat has been a staple diet in many diets, playing an essential role in maintaining our health. But have you ever wondered how many different types of Meat are there? Pork, Lamb and Beef are the most popular kinds of red Meat. At the same time, chicken is considered the popular and crowd-favourite White Meat.


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The consumption of different types of Meat can be good for your health as part of a balanced diet because they are excellent sources of multiple nutrients. Let us go through the list of different types of Meat to know more about them.

What is Meat?

The Meat was a general blanket term for food in Old English. But today, animals’ edible flesh is called Meat that humans consume. But the edible part of plant-like coconut or nut is also called Meat. So flesh, fat, muscles, kidney, tongue, liver are included in the list of Meat.

Main Categories Of Meat:

Here are the main categories of Meat:

  • Red Meat:

The Meat from all the livestock is called Red Meat which includes Lamb, Goat, Pork, and Beef.

  • Poultry:

Poultry includes chicken and turkey and is commonly referred to as White Meat.

  • Seafood:

As the name suggests, Seafood includes crab, lobster, mussels, scallops, oysters, clams, and all kinds of Fish.

  • Processed Meat:

The Meat that is processed is called Processed Meat, hence the name. Bacon, canned meats, salami, and sausages are processed meats. Many health experts advise limiting the consumption of this Meat.

See More: Popular Chicken Breeds

Different Types Of Meat With Pictures:

Here is the list of different types of Meat that you need to know and how are they good for you:

RED MEAT:

Some of the popular kinds of Meat on the planet are considered the different types of Red Meat. Red Meat has more saturated fat and more calories than white Meat. Let us look into more examples of Red Meat:

1. Pork:


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Pork is one of the world’s most popular types of Meat because of its cheap cost, high protein content, high vitamin B1 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, the myoglobin levels in the Meat determine why Pork is classified as red meat. The exact nutritional content of Por varies on the type of cut, as it is with most of the cuts of Meat. Pork has all the essential vitamins and minerals that are good for your health, including thiamine, vitamin B6, and niacin which are good for cardiovascular health and good energy metabolism.

But eating too many different types of pork cuts might lead to heart disease and high cholesterol because they might contain a lot of fat. It is also necessary to cook your Pork thoroughly before eating because Pork meat is also prone to contamination with bacterial pathogens and parasites.

2. Beef:


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One of the commonly consumed types of red Meat is Beef. Beef’s different cuts are used for types of steak; hamburgers use ground Beef; stews use chunks of Beef. Tenderloin is considered one of the Meat’s tender cuts. When consumed in moderation, Beef can be very beneficial because it is a rich source of zinc, vitamin B12, and iron. According to the National Health Service doctors, it is important to watch portion size and choose lean cuts of Beef because Beef can be a part of a healthy diet.

The evidence of health risks is associated with processed Meat and not in fatty red meat. There is a chance of releasing several carcinogenic toxins, which increases the risk of certain cancers if you are searing Beef at high temperatures.

You can combine Meat with eggs, onions, salt and spices resulting in easy and quick burgers. To prepare your favourite burger toppings, grill the meat for a few minutes on either side.

3. Lamb:


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The lean cut of Lamb is considered one of the healthiest red meat types with high-quality protein and all the essential amino acids. Lamb meat is a cut of meat from a young sheep under a year. Whereas different types of mutton meat are similar to Lamb, the only difference is Mutton is Meat from adult sheep. Since Lambs are usually reared naturally, they are considered healthy Meat.

The fat content of Lamb varies between cuts and therefore go for the cuts from loin and leg, which are leaner and healthiest cuts of Lamb. Compared to the lean cuts with the fat trimmed, the ribs or shoulders have significantly more calories.

The cost is one of the downsides of eating Lamb compared to chicken, Beef or Pork. To prevent the formation of carcinogenic toxins, make sure not to sear the meat at high temperatures and consume them in moderation.

4. Goat:


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Different types of goat Meat have less fat than Beef but have the same amount of protein, making it one of the healthiest types of red Meat. Goat Meat is one of the popular meats in Mediterranean, African and middle eastern countries. However, they are rarely eaten in Northern Europe and the US.

The slow cooking technique helps infuse the Meat with flavour by breaking down the fats, and the Goat meat is a perfect addition to braises and stew. Therefore, it is best to substitute Beef with healthier cuts like a goat is a healthier Red meat option.

5. Venison:


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Venison is classified as lean red meat that is considered a type of Meat from deer, which is a healthy option. Although venison has very little fat, it is full of flavour. The high cost of Deer meat might make people put it off, though it ranks high in the list of healthiest Red Meat types. There are only 127 calories and 25 grams of protein in 85 grams serving of venison. This Meat also has plenty of essential minerals and all the B-group vitamins.

6. Rabbit:


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A lean Red Meat rich in protein and nutrients is the Rabbit popular in the United Kingdom and France. Traditionally, Rabbit is fried or stewed, low in calories than protein levels. It also has high amounts of selenium and B12. Although rabbits are also reared domestically for their Meat, it is classified as game meat. As a result, rabbit meat is rarely eaten in many countries, despite Rabbit being a healthy choice. In addition, wild rabbits might have a disease called tularemia, when eaten undercooked, might be passed on to humans.

WHITE MEAT TYPES:

Let us go through the list of meats grouped into the white meat category.

7. Chicken:


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Chicken is the most common bird many consume because of its low-fat content and versatility for poultry. However, different parts of chicken contain different amounts of calories. For example, a wing contains 240 calories, the thigh has 210 calories, and a drumstick has 180 calories in a 3 oz serving. Chicken contains less fat than Beef and is a cheaper type of Meat, and it has an equal amount of protein as Beef.

The possibility of contamination with bacterial pathogens is one of the main concerns about chicken. Therefore make sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked and while handling chicken meat, wash your hands. You can fry, steam, roast, bake or grill chicken for consumption. But because of the high-fat content, deep-fried chicken has more calories.

8. Turkey:


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Turkey comes under the white meat category as chicken and is a large poultry bird, but not as popular as chicken. However, it has fewer calories and is slightly darker than chicken. In addition, Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, whether wings, drumstick or breast and reasonable amounts of B-group vitamins. This nutrient-dense Meat is not very costly. During the preparation and cooking of Turkey, one needs to adhere to strict hygiene practices.

See More: Types of Crabs to Eat

9. Duck:


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Although the duck’s liver is also enjoyed as foie gras, Duck meat generally refers to the legs and breast of the bird. Therefore, duck is listed as white Meat, even though duck meat is darker than turkey or chicken. Peking duck is a popular dish used extensively in Chinese cuisine. Duck meat has many nutrients and is a good source of protein and antioxidants. To remove the saturated fat content of this succulent bird, especially if you are preparing this bird at home, make sure to remove the skin before eating. You can braise the duck legs in red wine and prepare a stock that gives you a fall-off-the-bone with more flavour.

10. Goose:


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Goose is yet another white meat that might be difficult to find because it is not one of the most popular types of poultry. However, when skin is removed, the goose meat is rich in protein and low in fat, as it is with most poultry meats. In addition, goose contains plenty of iron, selenium, copper, zinc, potassium, vitamins B6, B12, Riboflavin, and niacin when cooked. Therefore, if you wish to lower the saturated fat content of the goose, it is best to remove the skin.

11. Seafood:


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After cereals, Fish and other Seafood furnish about 15% of the protein intake of the world’s population, making it humanity’s most important food. Lean Fish is much lower in calories than Beef or poultry, though they have equivalent protein. Salmon, Herring, Codfish, Redfish, FLatsish, Mackerel, Tuna, Sardine are commercially important ocean fish. Carp, Eel, Trout, Pike, Whitefish, Catfish, Pike perch are the major freshwater fish species. You can consume Seafood fresh, fermented, pickled, salted, smoked and dried.

Seafood includes everything from Fish to crustaceans to shellfish and is a popular meat category. For people looking for a healthy form of protein and high levels of Omega-3, Seafood is a perfect option.

12. Game Meats:


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The types of Game Meats include everything not found in a grocery store, including everything from pheasant to venison to wild boar. In addition, there might be some speciality meat markets that might sell these game meats. Since these meats are caught in the wild and eat varied, natural diets, Game meats are generally relatively lean. Braising game meats night be beneficial because of their tougher muscle structures. They are also among the expensive options because they are not farmed.

Interesting Facts About Meat:

Here is the list of some facts about Meat you might find interesting.

  • Many upscale steakhouses hang the Beef on a rack to dry for several weeks, promoting the enzymatic breakdown of connective tissue by evaporating moisture in the muscles resulting in flavorful meat.
  • Kobe beef is raised in Japan in specific parts. It is exported to China, and it is illegal to ship it anywhere else.
  • So, if you find “Kobe beef” anywhere other than China or Japan, know that it is fake.
  • The pound buys the Beef, where the smoking process makes it lose 3/4ths of that weight. This is the reason why beef jerky is so expensive.
  • Compared to the rest of the world, the French eat four times more butter, three times more pork and 60% more cheese.
  • Technically Freeze fried bacon cubes was the first meal eaten on the meal.
  • “Bringing home the Bacon” is used during a hostage negotiation strategy. The negotiators make the hostage-taker hungry by frying bacon after the hostage area. This will make them more willing to negotiate by making them hungry.

See More: Duck Breeds and Names

Including Meat can be an excellent way to have a balanced diet. All the different types of Meat are highly nutritious and can be healthy. We hope the content mentioned above will help you understand more about the different kinds of Meat in detail. Don’t forget to let us know if you found this article helpful!

FAQ’s:

1. What are the types of charcuterie meats?

Charcuterie is a French word meaning an assortment of meats that go beautifully with a cheese selection. Some of the popular Charcuterie board meats are:

  • Rillettes.
  • Prosciutto.
  • Sopressata.
  • Saucisson sec.
  • Mortadella.
  • Genoa Salami,
  • Spanish chorizo.
  • Capicola/ Coppa.
  • ‘Nduja.
  • Jamon Iberico.

2. Can we pickle Meat? What are the popular types of pickled meats?

Although it might sound strange, Pickled Meat is one of the best ways to bring flavour and preserve proteins and game meats. Some of the popular pickled meats are:

  • Pickled Bologna.
  • Pickles Kielbasa.
  • Pickled Sausages.
  • Octopus Pickle.
  • Pickled Ham Hocks.
  • Pickled Bacon.

3. Which is the most expensive type of Meat?

Japan’s Wagyu beef is the world’s most prized Beef. However, the cost of a High-grade wagyu per pound can be up to $200. Olive wagyu, the world’s rarest steak, can cost $120 to over $300.

4. What are the popular types of Deli Meat?

The three top-selling deli types of Meat are:

  • Turkey.
  • Roast Beef.
  • Ham.

Disclaimer:

The content of this article is based on research and not a replacement for a professional opinion. The website is not responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of the information.

Yashasvi

About Yashasvi

Yashasvi developed a deep passion for writing ever since she was completed her Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam and has chosen a career that is driven by creativity. A Parenting expert who believes in communicating effectively with a personal touch, she writes about pregnancy, baby care, lifestyle, and just about anything else.
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