Veal vs. Other Center-of-the-Plate Proteins

Fact Sheet CHICAGO (November 1, 1998)

More diners are becoming aware of the relationship between a well-balanced diet and good health. They want to eat smart, without sacrificing the pleasure of eating well. Satisfying, nutrition-wise menu choices -- including lean meats, like veal -- are in demand.

 

Veal is a sound choice when featured center-of-the plate or used to increase the nutritional profile and taste of menu items such as salads, soups and pasta dishes. A veal leg cutlet has only 128 calories and compares very favorably to a skinless chicken breast (142 Kcal), a beef eye round (143 Kcal) and a pork tenderloin (139 Kcal). While the same veal cutlet has only 3g of fat, compared to 4.1g for pork tenderloin, 4.2g of beef eye round and 3.1g for skinless chicken breast.

 

Center of the Plate Comparison
(All values are based on 3 oz. cooked, trimmed, edible portion.)

Veal Calories (Kcal) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg)
Cutlet, leg, roasted 128 3.0 1.0 88
Loin, roasted 149 6.0 2.2 90
Rib, roasted 150 6.3 1.8 98
Breast, whole, boneless, braised 185 8.3 3.2 99
Shank (fore and hind), braised 150 3.7 1.0 107


Chicken Calories (Kcal) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg)
Breast (broilers or fryers), meat only, roasted 142 3.1 .9 73
Thigh (broilers or fryers), meat only, roasted 178 9.2 2.6 81


Turkey Calories (Kcal) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg)
Turkey, all classes, light meat, roasted 133 2.7 0.9 59


Fish Calories (Kcal) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg)
Salmon, sockeye, dry heat 184 9.3 1.6 74
Swordfish, dry heat 132 4.4 1.2 43
Shrimp, mixed species, moist heat 84 0.9 0.2 166
Lobster, Northern, moist heat 83 0.5 0.1 61

 

Beef Calories (Kcal) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg)
Eye round, trimmed to 1/4" fat, all grades, roasted 143 4.2 1.5 59
Top Sirloin, trimmed to 1/4" fat, all grades, broiled 166 6.1 2.4 76
Tenderloin, trimmed to 1/4" fat, all grades, broiled 179 8.5 3.2 71

 

Pork Calories (Kcal) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg)
Tenderloin, roasted 139 4.1 1.4 67
Rib Chop, loin, center rib (chop), bone-in, broiled 186 8.3 2.9 69

 

Lamb Calories (Kcal) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg)
Shank, leg, half, trimmed to 1/4" fat, choice grade, roasted 153 5.7 2.0 74
Rack (rib), trimmed 1/4" fat, choice grade, roasted 197 11.3 4.0 75

SOURCE: USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL)/NDL Bulletin Board, 1998

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