My Restaurant’s Journey

"Game" Changer: Try These Three Tasty, Nutritious Meats

Posted on: 5 May 2015

Americans love meat. Beef, chicken, and pork are staples in numerous restaurant dishes, but these three powerhouses are not your only meat options.

If you want to branch out but unusual meats like armadillo and wild boar are a little too "out there" for your palate, consider these three healthy and unique--but not too unique--meat options.

Duck

Duck-based dishes are not as common here in America as they are in France and China, but this bird is a rising ingredient in cuisine popularity. If you have had duck before, you probably had it roasted or maybe even in the form of the curious turducken. If you are a more seasoned duck connoisseur, you probably rave about confit and foie gras.

Duck meat is fattier than other poultry meats, but also extremely high in protein. It is also full of essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, selenium, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B-3, and vitamin C. Because its higher fat content, duck meat is also high in cholesterol. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, however, you can limit your intake by removing the skin.

Rabbit

In the United States, rabbit meat is relatively unpopular. Its popularity slightly increased during the second World War, but plummeted soon after. Rabbits are more commonly bred as pets, so convincing people to see these animals as food sources as well as cuddly pets is not easy. Furthermore, rabbit meat can be difficult to prepare and cook.

If you are trying to eat healthier, rabbit meat can truly enhance your diet. Compared to other popular meats, rabbit meat is the leanest. It is also very low in cholesterol. The United States Department of Agriculture has even gone so far as to declare domestic rabbit meat as the most nutritional meat you can eat!

Elk

Deer meat is growing in popularity, but it is hardly the only nutritious dark meat. The taste of elk meat is much richer than venison and more similar to that of beef. Elk may be classified as an exotic game meat, but more and more ranchers are breeding elk. Thus, elk meat is growing increasingly more accessible.

Elk meat offers a lot of nutritional benefits that deer and beef do not provide. If you love the taste of red meat, but need something lower in fat and cholesterol, elk meat is an excellent substitute. Plus, elk meat is very high in disease-fighting vitamins, and impressively low in sodium. If you want to try some different meats, then try visiting a local bar and grill.

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