Nutrition
Why is bison tops in nutrition over the “other red meat”? Nutritionists say it’s because bison meat is on of the most nutrient rich meats available. It not only contains a high proportion of protein and minerals in relation to its calorie content, but it is also an excellent source of iron, zinc, phosphorous, niacin, vitamin B6 and B12.
Another reason is bison themselves are healthier animals. Typically, bison graze on grass and are not fed commercial feed or grains. They are also not subjected to drugs, chemicals, and hormones. They have a lower fat content than beef and pork. Examine the chart below and you will find the bison is the healthier choice over beef, pork, chicken, and sockeye salmon. Also, since bison feed primarily on grass their levels of omega-3 fat and conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) both of which help to reduce cancer, heart disease and diabetes, are higher.
So it’s healthy, but how does it taste? Great! Similar to beef, but a little more tender. Honestly, I don’t think most people would know if they where eating bison instead of beef.
Bison Facts
1. Buffalo is a misnomer. These magnificent animals are North American Bison.
2. Bison are no longer an endangered species. There are now over 450,000 bison in North America.
3. Bison meat has fewer calories and less cholesterol than chicken, fish, or ostrich.
4. Bison has 40% more protein than beef so you can eat 1/3 less volume and still come away satisfied.
5. Bison has much less fat than beef so that you get much more edible meat for your money.
6. Bison does NOT taste wild like game meats. It DOES taste like the finest quality beef that you remember from your childhood.
7. Bison is the only red meat that is non-allergenic.
8. Bison are the only mammals not to contract cancer.
9. Bison was the main diet of the Plains Indians who:
a. never had cancer
b. never had heart disease or heart attacks
c. lived to be 85 or 90 years old AND, scientists speculate, would have lived to be 125 with adequate dental care.
10. Eating 5oz of bison, 3-4 times per week can help most people reduce LDL cholesterol 40 to 45% over a 6-month period.
11. Bison can be used interchangeably with beef in most recipes so that you can enjoy all of your favorite dishes made with nature’s healthier food – Bison chili, Bison lasagna, Bison stew, Bison Stroganoff, and even Corned Bison and Cabbage or Bison Pastrami. The list is endless.
12. Bison meat cooks faster than beef because there is so much less fat in the meat to insulate it from the heat.
13. Bison Dogs, Bison Brats, Bison bacon, and Bison sausage allow you to enjoy your favorite meat items with less guilt and more true meat flavor.
14. Bison can easily outrun and out-maneuver most horses and can jump a 7 foot fence with the agility of a deer.
