Ostrich Meat Facts

Though red meat consumption is considered unhealthy, there are many people, who continue to satisfy their taste buds with delicious red meat dishes. This piece of good news is for those, who love red meat, and don't want to avoid it in the name of healthy eating habits. What is the relation between ostrich and healthy eating?

The answer is simple - ostrich meat is considered one of the healthy meats.

We all know that ostrich meat comes under poultry. Unlike the meat of most of the other birds that come under poultry, ostrich meat is red. This meat is considered as red meat, and is fast replacing beef and other types of red meat

• Meat of ostrich resembles beef in looks and taste, but it is very low in calories, fat, and cholesterol.
• Ostrich meat has 66% less fat than beef and 50% less fat than chicken. As far as the calorific value is concerned, the ostrich meat has fewer calories than chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, and beef.

• It is rich in proteins and contains more iron than beef, lamb, turkey, chicken, and pork.
• Unlike chicken and turkey, there is no breast meat in ostrich. Ostrich meat is mostly taken from the legs, thighs, and the back of the bird.

• This meat does not have fat marbling, as seen in beef. In these birds, the body fat is deposited outside the muscles, and such fatty parts are easily removed at the time of processing itself.

• The popularity of ostrich meat may also be due to its sweeter and richer taste. You can buy it as burgers, sausages, fillets, or prime steaks. Even diced and stir-fry versions are available. This meat can also be used as a replacement for other meats in your favorite recipes.

• If the cut meat is labeled as tender, it should be broiled, grilled, or fried; and those with medium-tender ratings should be poached or braised. For roasting and stir-frying, you can use all cuts. The leg meat of ostrich is mostly processed or ground.
• It has to be noted that ostrich meat cooks faster, as it has a very low fat content.

100 grams of ground, raw ostrich meat contains almost 20.22 grams of protein and 71 grams of water. The calorific value is 165 kcal. Value of other nutrients are given in the following table.

Nutrient and their Value

Vitamin A - 0 IU
Vitamin B1 - 0.182 mg
Vitamin B2 - 0.267 mg
Vitamin B3 - 4.377 mg
Vitamin E - 0.24 mg
Vitamin B12 - 4.61 mcg
Folate - 7 mcg
Calcium - 7 mg
Magnesium - 20 mg

Potassium - 291 mg
Phosphorus - 199 mg
Iron - 2.91 mg
Zinc - 3.51 mg

* Source: USDA National Nutrient Database

Is ostrich meat healthy? Even health experts and nutritionists are recommending this meat for their clients; and are urging them to avoid consumption of other types of fat-rich red meats, which may lead to diseases, like arteriosclerosis.