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Which is More Healthier: Meat or Fish?

Should you trade the meat block for a fillet knife, or are you dead set on eating steak and potatoes? Both fish and meat have their health benefits and many recipes call for them to be arranged side by side. This is because eating a combination of meat and fish promotes a balanced diet enriched with proteins, fats, and other important nutrients.

Updated on: 2 February, 2022 2:15 PM IST By: Ayushi Raina
Meat and fish

Should you get rid of the meat block and replace it with a fillet knife, or do you insist on steak and potatoes? Both fish and meat possess health benefits, and many recipes call for pairing them together.

This is because a balanced diet rich in proteins, lipids, and other essential components may be achieved by eating a combination of meat and fish. Despite this, when fish and meat are sold solely by fishmongers and meat butchers, they are usually segregated. Expert fishermen or seasoned butchers obtain food when it comes from the land rather than the sea. 

There aren't many that do both, but that doesn't mean one is healthier than the other. So, when it comes to whether meat or fish is healthier for your body, the answer is both for the reasons listed below. 

Protein Concentration levels 

Fish and poultry are regarded to be the most protein-dense meals available. Proteins are one of three macronutrients (the other two being fats and carbs) found in animal products and are made up of amino acids that help create muscle growth. Proteins are broken down by the body, which increases muscle mass and metabolism. Tuna has the greatest protein content of all the fish. Tuna has about 25 grams per three ounces. 

Three ounces of chicken breast, on the other hand, has roughly 27 g of protein. As a result, these two products are quite comparable in terms of delivering the required element for muscle growth. Tuna and chicken breast are among a list of ten foods considered to be practically 100% protein. 

Fats 

While fish and chicken have equal protein amounts, when it comes to fat content, meat reigns supreme. Red meat has a greater fat content than fish, but it's largely saturated fat, which might negatively impact cholesterol levels. Fish has a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3 fatty acids provide a number of health benefits, particularly for pregnant mothers. Omega-3 fatty acids aid to reduce the risk of heart disease, enhance vision, and alleviating anxiety and depression. 

Pork, in comparison to lamb and beef, has the least unsaturated lipids, resulting in higher omega-3 fatty acids, similar to fish. When it comes to fish, farmed salmon has the greatest concentration of omega-3 fatty acids compared to other forms of seafood. 

How Meat and Fish Work Together to Make a Healthy Diet 

Lean meat is preferred when it comes to red meat. Meats with the adjectives "loin" or "round" are usually considered lean. Meat, contrary to popular belief, contains Vitamin B12, Niacin, and Selenium. Vitamin B12 helps to keep neurons and blood cells healthy, as well as prevent anemia. Selenium stimulates the immune system, metabolism, and thyroid function, while niacin converts food into energy. Meat also includes iron, which the human body absorbs. When consumed in moderation, saturated fats help good brain function, lungs, and liver health.

So, do you need a fillet knife to replace your meat block?  No, the meat block and knife, on the other hand, are kitchen essentials that complement one other.  

Finally, when it comes to deciding between meat and fish, there is no obvious winner.

Both provide protein, and while fish has more omega-3 fatty acids, meat also contains other important vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet consists of fish and meat. They don't have to be eaten together, although there are several recipes that call for both.  

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