June 27, 2006

USDA study says pork is just as lean as chicken meat

The next time you are on a diet, you might want to consider eating pork instead of skinless chicken breasts. A new research from the USDA has discovered that pork tenderloin is just as lean as a skinless chicken breast, giving more credence to the advertising slogan "pork- the other white meat".

The USDA analysis found that pork tenderloin contains only 2.98 grammes of fat per 3-ounce serving, compared to 3.03 grams of fat in a 3-ounce serving of skinless chicken breast. Pork tenderloin meets government guidelines for "extra lean" status.

Some of the more common cuts of pork today are now lower in fat and saturated fat because America's pork producers have improved feeding and breeding practices to deliver the leaner products that consumers demand, said Ceci Snyder, MS, RD, Assistant Vice President of Consumer Marketing for the National Pork Board.

Researchers found six common cuts of pork are 16 percent leaner than 15 years ago, and pork today has 27 percent less saturated fat.

In addition, researchers also found more essential nutrients such as vitamin B6 and niacin. The research also concluded that pork contains no trans fat, said co-author and visiting scientist Juhi Williams with the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Centre at the USDA.

The new data would lead to changes in USDA's 2007 National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, used by dietitians, school foodservice directors and other health professionals to plan menus and analyse nutrient intake.

Government agencies and health professional organizations rely on the database for establishing dietary guidelines and nutrition policies.

Of the nine cuts analysed, six have a nutritional profile meeting USDA guidelines for "lean," with less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3-ounce serving. Pork tenderloin meets government guidelines for "extra lean," which requires less than 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving.