Fish Or Steak? Pros And Cons Of Each, And When To Choose

You’ve probably heard countless recommendations for what you should eat for healthier, happier living. Or maybe you’re looking to cut back on red meat, or increase your intake of fish and other seafood.

Whatever your goals, chances are you’ve heard about the health benefits of each of these food groups. But which is the more important staple of your diet? And when should you choose one over the other? Let’s explore.

Why Is Fish Or Steak More Important?

We all know that red meat is not good for our health, but is fish really a more healthy choice? And when should you choose fish or steak? Let’s explore the differences between the two.

There are a lot of misconceptions out there about the health benefits of each food group. We often think that red meat is the worse choice for us, but fish actually has more nutrients and health benefits than beef does.

One of the main differences is in the fatty acid composition of the two. Whereas beef is high in saturated fat, fish is relatively low in saturated fat. Instead, it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered by many to be healthy.

Fish

Fish is a nutrient-rich food that is a great source of protein and essential fatty acids. It is recommended that we consume at least two servings of fish per week.

The most common types of fish in the U.S. are mackerel, salmon, trout, tuna, cod, sardines, and catfish. Salmon, trout, and tuna are considered to be the “healthiest” choices.

Salmon – The “gold standard” for fish. High in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to provide benefits for the heart and brain.

Trout – Also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Tuna – Low in calories, and high in protein.

Lean Beef

Lean beef is red meat that contains less than 10% of total fat. It is recommended that we eat less than 3 ounces of red meat per day.

The best way to think of lean beef is as an alternative to fatty ground beef. The nutritional information is very similar between the two, with one exception: Fatty beef is high in saturated fat, while lean beef is low in saturated fat.

However, when it comes to health benefits, lean beef doesn’t quite have the same reputation as fish does.

Conclusion

The nutritional benefits of fish and steak are often compared, and the two are often viewed as being equally “healthy”. However, one major difference is that fish is low in saturated fat, and therefore has fewer “harmful” cholesterol-raising saturated fats than beef does.

That being said, both fish and steak are high in protein and essential fatty acids, and are excellent sources of iron, manganese, and vitamin B12.