YOU’VE ALREADY HEARD THAT BISON MEAT TASTES GREAT AND IS GOOD FOR YOU.
Although commonly called buffalo and the terms are considered synonymous, the North American bison is not a buffalo.
HEALTHY CHOICE. Bison is America’s Original Health Food: If you are concerned about your health and want to eat food that is good for you – and yet not sacrifice taste and flavor for better nutrition – then bison is the meat for you. Sweet, flavorful and tender, bison meat still packs a nutritional wallop. Exceptionally high in protein and minerals, bison is low in fat, calories and cholesterol. It tends to satisfy you more while eating less.
The American Heart Association recommends bison meat for a heart healthy diet due to its low fat and cholesterol content. bison is high in protein, iron, selenium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12. Its more than heart healthy – Its PEOPLE HEALTHY.
Bison grazing on green grass have a very healthy fat. Omega 3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated nucleic acid) help in controlling weight and fighting cancers, among other properties. These fatty acids are deficient in most American diets. Feeding grain to animals lessens the amount of these fats. It must be kept in mind, however, that bison meat is lean, and not considered a high source of fat whether from grass or from grain. Many producers chose to add some grain to the finishing diet of bison to produce meat with a consistent flavor as the grass varies with the seasons and the location.
While listing all the benefits IN bison meat, we shouldn’t forget what is NOT IN the meat. In addition to having fewer calories, less fat and less cholesterol, there are no growth hormones, steroids, or sub-therapeutic antibiotics. These animals are both environmentally friendly and people friendly. Bison meat is versatile and satisfying, easy to prepare, and can be used in any recipe requiring beef. Give your health and taste buds a treat, and eat bison, America’s Original Health Food.
More Information About Bison Nutrition
At the August 2002 meeting of the Missouri Bison Association, nutritionist Barbara Lohse Knouse, PHD, RD, LD from Kansas State University spoke about the nutritional value of bison meat. Dr. Knouse feels that there are many important advantages to bison meat in addition to “High in protein, Low in fat and Low in Cholesterol”. This is especially important during this time when more people are pursuing healthier nutritional lifestyles.
Dr. Knouse highlighted the following advantages of bison nutrition:
- B6 and B12 (Bison is a HIGH of these vitamins)
- Vitamin B12 is only available from animal sources
- Vitamin B12 has been shown to keep the elderly mentally alert
- Vitamin B6 is needed for protein metabolism
- Sodium (Bison is a LOW source of Sodium)
- High sodium intake is associated with hypertension
- Potassium (Bison is a HIGH source or Potassium)>
- Key to lowering Blood Pressure
- Most foods high in potassium are also high in calories
- Bison contains 1/3 more potassium than chicken
- Iron (Bison is a HIGH source of Iron)
- Necessary for hemoglobin formation and prevention of anemia.
- Bison is 3 times higher in Iron than pork or chicken.
- Selenium (Bison is a HIGH source of Selenium)
- An antioxidant shown to help prevent cancer.
- Bison has 4 times higher amount of Selenium than the USDA
- recommends as an antioxidant.
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid (Bison is a high source of CLA)
- Antioxidant that has been shown to help prevent cancer
- Calories (Bison is a LOW source of calories) 1/2 the calories of pork and chicken
Dr. Knouse emphasized the huge differences between American bison (Bison) meat and Water buffalo meat. In her research,when a NUTRITION LABEL stated only “buffalo”, it referred to Water buffalo. American bison meat is labeled “Bison”, not “buffalo” in NUTRITION CHARTS.