Chicken vs. Beef Cholesterol

Saturated-fat-packed red meat has often been criticized for its effect on cholesterol levels, leading many people to switch over to “white meat” like pork, chicken, and turkey to protect their hearts. But now, a new study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition challenges that notion, suggesting that white meat might have the same effect on cholesterol, leading those researchers to suggest it might be best to ditch meat as much as possible and go plant-based instead. I weighed in on this piece for Runner’s World about the study and whether you really need to ditch meat:

There were also study limitations you should consider before you toss your chicken, added dietician Maya Feller, R.D., C.D.N. These include the small sample size, brief time period, and use of just chicken and corn-fed beef, as opposed to a wider variety of meats, including pork, grassfed beef, and pasture-raised poultry. Feller said more research is needed over a longer time period, and with a broader array of meat types, to get a clearer picture of cholesterol effects…

“If someone wants to continue to eat meat, they should do so,” she said. “But they also need to be exposed to an abundance of plants on a regular and consistent basis.”