Meat package says 26% meat protein content

(A ham loving ham! - VA6KD) #1

Hi all. Realitive noob here. Been ketoing for about six months and it’s working well. I have a question about meat protein. My local grocery store sells $5 packets of various precooked meat pieces such as beef, chicken, ham, turkey and they all say on the packet “Contains approx 20-something % meat protein.” I’m pretty sure it’s reconstituted mechanically separated meat. I find it great for tossing in a quick salad.

Do I count the actual weight of the meat or do I factor the % protein? i.e. should I have 400g of chicken because it says 25% meat protein when shooting for 100g of protein per day.

By this reasoning, should real boneless chicken breast or steak for example, be considered as near 100% meat protein?
Thanks!

(Larry Lustig) #2

If you mean you want to determine how much protein you’re eating, use the (lower) protein number. Meat is not completely protein (it also had fat and non- digestible parts, although no carbs except for rubs / sauces / and meats that are injected with sugar, like prepared ham).

(A ham loving ham! - VA6KD) #3

Got it. Thanks. In that case I’ve been under eating protein for months now!

Appreciate the response.

#4

Here’s an example of what you are looking for. When you buy animal source protein, it’s not 100% protein. The flesh is a combination of water, fat, protein, etc. So, a beef steak, for example, is not 100% protein.

(A ham loving ham! - VA6KD) #5

Oh! Thank you! Here I was thinking the mock meat at 25% that I’ve been buying was low, but it looks like it’s right in the pack with real whole meat pieces.

Diet ammended!

#6

Yes, don’t panic! It is confusing to list as meat protein but all it means is that the protein comes from meat - which is a good thing if you are eating a meat product!!! Protein content is rarely higher than around 30%.