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With Christmas and the New Year firmly behind us, most of us started 2020 with the food coma from hell and a long list of New Year’s resolutions and fitness goals to (try) and achieve.
Marching boldly into the cold, dark winter days with a ‘new year, new me’ mind set, many people stopped drinking for a month in line with Dry January, an alcohol cessation initiative spearheaded by Alcohol Change UK.
Others opted for Veganuary, the latest body cleanse craze in which participants adopt a vegan diet for the entire month of January and abstain from using any products derived from animals.
We certainly see the benefits of temporary alcohol cessation – we all overdo it over the holidays – although we can’t help but think that Veganuary is a step too far.
Afterall, meat is highly nutritious, packed full of B-vitamins, iron and essential minerals. And, as we all know, it is an excellent source of protein – exactly what you need to fuel your post-work gym sessions.
With this in mind, we take a look at 5 lean meats guaranteed to help you build muscle and stay in shape during the winter months.
Our Top 5 Lean Meats
Our top 5 meats to help you beat those winter blues and fuel your workouts are as follows:
– Venison haunch steaks
– Sirloin steak (fat removed)
– Pork loin
– Skinless chicken Supremes
– Minced turkey
Why these meats in particular?
Not only are all these meats currently in season, they’re also low in fat and less expensive than some of the more popular cuts, such as fillet steak and venison loin.
Let’s take a closer look.
Venison Haunch Steaks –
Venison is a term used to describe the meat obtained from deer, although in other parts of the World it may refer to elk or antelope.
The haunch refers to the back leg of the animal and is a highly versatile cut, allowing for steaks, roasting joints and diced chunks known as collops.
In terms of taste, venison is often described as rich or earthy, with a woody, fruity flavour.
Incredibly lean and high in protein, venison is a go-to meat for bodybuilders looking to pack on the muscle and shed weight at the same time.
Nutrition Facts (per 100g):
Calories – 158
Fat – 3.2g
Protein – 30g
Sirloin Steak (Fat Removed) –
Everyone loves a good sirloin steak. Remove the fat and you have the perfect winter lean meat.
Sirloin steak comes from a section of the cow known as (you’ve guessed it) the sirloin. The sirloin is a section of the animal’s back, nestled between the round and the loin.
Taste wise, sirloin is typically juicy and very tender, with a distinct beefy taste and texture.
Aside from being a quality source of protein, beef also contains high levels of creatine (5g per pound), an amino acid that helps improve strength and increase muscle mass.
Nutrition Facts (per 100g):
Calories – 194
Fat – 7g
Protein – 27g
Pork Loin –
Long considered a fatty meat, certain cuts of pork are incredibly lean (as lean as chicken in some cases), none more so than pork loin.
Considered the leanest part of a pig’s body, the loin is situated between the animal’s ribs and back legs.
Lean and tender, the loin has a delicate flavour. It’s also quick and easy to cook – perfect for those looking for something nutritious to eat after a post-work gym session.
What’s more, pork is a great source of thiamine (B1), which is reported to assist carbohydrate metabolism during extended periods of exercise.
Nutrition Facts (per 100g):
Calories – 242
Fat – 14g
Protein – 27g
Skinless Chicken Supremes –
A chicken supreme is essentially a boneless, skinless chicken breast, a highly popular and versatile cut of chicken.
The best thing about chicken breast is that it’s lower in fat that other cuts of chicken. Breast meat also contains less cholesterol than the meat found in the legs or wings and a whopping 31g of protein per 100g.
Runners, take note: chicken is a great source of calcium and phosphorous, minerals that are essential for healthy bones. It also contains high levels of magnesium, vitamin B5 and tryptophan, which over time can help relieve stress.
Nutrition Facts (per 100g):
Calories – 165
Fat – 3.6g
Protein – 31g
Minced Turkey –
Last on our list of top 5 lean meats is minced turkey, which is typically a mix of light and dark turkey meat.
Not only is turkey high in protein, it’s chock-full of B vitamins, in-particular B3, B6 and the most important, B12, all of which promote higher energy levels and healthy brain function.
When it comes to meal prep, you have plenty of mouth-watering options to choose from. Try turkey mince chili, turkey meat balls, even turkey burgers!
Nutrition Facts (per 100g):
Calories – 203
Fat – 10g
Protein – 27g
Be sure to check out our online store and stock up on lean meats this winter!
