Nutritional Facts
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Health and diet are serious concerns. One leading commentator on diets, particularly "fad" diets, believes that the primary factor in the obesity of America is habit. We have grown accustomed to eating certain foods prepared in certain ways and want a "diet" that allows us to continue - not change - our eating habits. As a result, in every decade since 1960 both men and women have experienced sharp rises in the percentage of overweight individuals. This is significant because it can lead to serious health problems including heart disease, diabetes and gallstones. |
Protein is the major component of muscles, organs and glands. Proteins are complex organic compounds whose basic structure is a chain of amino acids. The human body requires 22 amino acids but can only make 13 of them. The remaining 9 must come from food. Unfortunately, the same foods that are the best sources of protein have also provided us with the excess fat that leads to heart disease and high cholestrol levels.
Use the chart below to see how favorably ostrich compares to other meat products. Ostrich is naturally low in fat, extremely low in saturated fat, contains no marbled fat, and provides an exceptional source of dietary iron and protein.
| Species | Meat Cut | Protein (%) | Fat (G) | Calories (KCAL) | Iron (MG) | Cholestrol (MG) |
| Ostrich | Cut comp | 26.9 | 3.0 | 142 | 3.2 | 81 |
| Beef* | Tenderloin | 28.1 | 10.5 | 209 | 3.0 | 83 |
| Veal* | Loin Chop | 33.9 | 9.4 | 225 | 1.2 | 124 |
| Pork* | Loin Center | 29.3 | 15.2 | 256 | 1.1 | 94 |
| Chicken | Whole, no skin | 28.9 | 7.4 | 190 | 1.2 | 89 |
| Turkey | Whole, no skin | 29.3 | 5.0 | 170 | 1.8 | 76 |
| Lamb* | London Chop | 30.4 | 9.4 | 215 | 1.2 | 95 |
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* Figures are cooked portions with knife separable fat removed. Source: USDA Agriculture handbook #8 and Hill
Nutrition Associates of Florida for all except ostrich. |
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For a diet to be successful it's important that you stick to it. Ostrich allows you to make little or no changes in your eating habits (other than substituting ostrich for beef) and still enables you to lose weight. You can enjoy the meals and tastes you've grown accustom to without the excess fat. Losing weight doesn't have to be a goal to consider adding ostrich to your diet. The health benefits for your heart and cardiovascular system is obvious if you compare the fat and cholestrol levels in the table above. Ostrich is obviously the best choice.
Ostrich, the better red meat!
A 28 day diet trial was conducted with 18 participants. Women used a 1,500 calorie diet and men used a 2,000 calorie diet. The diet and meals for each day were designed by a registered dietician and the blood testing was done by a certified medical technologist. The trial included 8 hours fasting before the initial weigh-in and cholestrol testing. The same procedure was followed at the end of the trial for final weight and cholestrol results, and participants agreed to no change in their exercise pattern during the trial period.
Each diet included 10 meals of the better red meat each week, and included better red meat snacks. At the end of the trial, the 18 participants had lost a total of 243 pounds. Women lost an average of 11.6 pounds, ranging from a loss of 7 to 15 pounds. Men lost an average of 16.4 pounds, ranging from a loss of 13 to 21 pounds.
In addition to the weight loss, 16 of the 18 participants had lower cholestrol levels after the 28 day trial. Women showed a decrease of 12.5% and men 17.9%. Of the two that did not show a lowered cholestrol level, one stopped taking cholestrol medication during the trial, and the other did not fast prior to the final weigh-in and blood testing.
By including the better red meat in your diet, you can lose weight, lower cholestrol, and enjoy the health benefits of the better red meat without sacrificing the tastes you've come to enjoy. We grow our own grains and use no pesticides so you're assured of meat that is safe, healthy, and free of chemical additives. All our meat is inspected by the State of Wisconsin and the USDA, and shrink wrapped to ensure quality. Do your body, health, and conscience a favor and order the better red meat today!