Benefits of Pork (Pt 2)

Nutrition Basics

One serving of pork is 3 ounces, or about the size of a deck of cards, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. An image of the portion size is important because a thick pork chop can be twice that size and without realizing it you can eat double the calories. You’ll get 137 calories and 4 grams of fat from a 3-ounce pork chop. Pork is similar to chicken, with 3 ounces of chicken breast containing 140 calories and 3 grams of fat. A pork chop has 65 milligrams of cholesterol, compared to 72 grams in chicken breast, but they both have just 1 gram of saturated fat.

Protein

Pork chops deliver a big boost of complete protein. Men get 43 percent of their recommended daily intake, and women gain 52 percent from a 3-ounce pork chop. Proteins are found in every cell in the body, where they contribute to the structure and maintenance of tissues. They deliver messages between cells, cause muscles to contract and carry important substances. For example, the hemoglobin that carries oxygen is a protein. Other important substances made from protein include antibodies, enzymes and some hormones.

Pork is mostly made up of protein

The protein content of lean, cooked pork is around 26% by fresh weight.

By dry weight, the protein content of lean pork can be as high as 89%, making it one of the richest dietary sources of protein.

It contains all the essential amino acids necessary for the growth and maintenance of our bodies. In fact, pork meat is one of the most complete dietary sources of protein.

For this reason, eating pork, or other meats, may be of particular benefit for bodybuilders, recovering athletes, post-surgical patients, or other people who need to build up or repair their muscles.

 High-quality protein is the main nutritional component of pork, making it useful for muscle growth and maintenance.