Food can fall into many different categories. For example, meat just isn’t meat. It can be red meat, processed meat, white meat, raw meat, etc.
In this article, we will discuss what is considered white meat, the benefits and risks, and finally, how much you should eat.
By the end, you will know everything you need to know about white meat. You’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Contents
What Counts as White Meat?
We know that red meat is meat that comes from a four-legged animal that is red in its raw form, but not everyone knows what white counts as white meat.
Usually, the type of animal that counts as white meat is poultry, such as turkey, duck, chicken, and other types of birds. Fish, in some cases, counts as white meat, but this is neither here nor there.
So, if it’s poultry or a bird, then chances are that it is going to be considered to be white meat. In the next sections, we will go into the benefits and risks of eating white meat because there are both.
Benefits of White Meat
Before we talk about risks, let us talk about the benefits because there are a lot of them that exist.
- One great benefit of white meat is that it helps you manage your cholesterol. The reason for this is because of omega-3 and omega-6 that are found in chicken. Yes, it’s not just found in fish! It’s also found in white meat.
- White meat also has a lot of Vitamin B, such as B3 and B12, which help you with a lot of your body functions.
- Other things found in white meat are magnesium, zinc, iron, and protein. It’s also great at reducing your risk for diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Finally, another thing found in white meat is Vitamin D. This is important because it helps your body absorb calcium.
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to eating white meat. Some of them are better than others, but the general idea is that they can be extremely helpful for your health.
Risks of Eating White Meat
Sadly, we regret to inform you that there are also risks to eating white meat. This can usually be contained by eating it in moderation, but it doesn’t change the fact that there still are risks out there.
People may say that there are more risks associated with red meat, but white meat has a lot of risks as well.
One of the biggest and most important risks to be aware of is the cholesterol issue. Eating white meat can cause you to end up with high cholesterol.
High cholesterol is a problem because it causes plaque to build up in your arteries. This then leads to heart disease or stroke.
There aren’t even specific symptoms of high cholesterol that you are going to have, and the only way to tell is if your doctor does a specific type of blood test.
In the end, just eat in moderation, which we are going to cover in the next section below. By not overindulging in white meat, you’ll be able to avoid ending up with high cholesterol.
How Much White Meat Should You Consume?
Like with most foods, there are a certain amount of portions you should eat daily or weekly, and white meat is no exception.
Overall, it is recommended that you eat white meat 2 to 3 times a week. It does vary depending on where you are in the world, but there is a consensus.
As always, try not to overindulge. We know that white meat, especially chicken, is too much of a good thing.
By following the recommended portion size, you can avoid any of the risks that we mentioned in the section above this one.
Final Thoughts
And there you go, all you white meat lovers out there! Now you know what counts as white meat, what the benefits and risks there are, and finally, how much you should eat.
Categorizing food can sometimes be complicated, but we hope we’ve managed to shed some light on the subject. All-in-all, white meat is delicious and, when eaten in moderation, perfectly safe.
You might also be interested in the following:
- Is Egg Considered Meat?
- Is Shrimp Considered Red Meat?
- Is Seafood Considered Red Meat?
- Is Pork Considered Red Meat?
- Is Lamb Considered Red Meat?
- Is Ham Considered Red Meat?
- Is Fish Considered Red Meat?
- Is Chicken Considered Red Meat?
- What Is Considered Processed Meat?
- What Is Considered Lean Meat?
- What Is Considered Red Meat?
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.