Lamb Vs Goat: Which Is More Nutritious?

Everyone has heard of how red meat can be good for you. The United Kingdom's National Health Service reports that red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, are a good source of protein when eaten with moderation. Within the United States, well-known meats like beef and lamb are quite popular, according to a Huffpost report. But there is a sort of "sleeper cell" among the red meats that Huffpost cites could turn things around for many Americans.

The meat in question? Goat meat, which has experienced a bit of a lackluster reception within the United States. Huffpost reports that award-winning TV personality and chef Andrew Zimmern was a bit perplexed as to why more folks wouldn't give goat meat the same chance they've all given lamb meat. Perhaps people are dissuaded from consuming goat because they might perceive lamb to be healthier overall. They do seem like similar-looking animals, so maybe they have the same nutritional values?

Foodstruct explains that both animals have some similarities when it comes to what they eat and how they look, but they have some serious differences that affect the end result of their meat. When it comes to their nutritional composition, lamb (or mutton) has double the calories and about 10 times the fat and cholesterol of its goat counterpart. Foodstruct explains that lamb meat is also much higher in saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats.

Goat meat, however, has a much higher protein content than lamb meat. According to The Online Grill, goat contains 27 grams of protein when compared to lamb's 25 grams of protein. The report also cites that goat meat is higher in iron, with 3.7 milligrams, compared to lamb's 1.9 milligrams. When it comes to vitamin count, lamb meat beats out goat meat (via Foodstruct).

Lamb meat is said to be rich in vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B12, and vitamin K, though it is good to note that goat meat possesses higher levels of vitamin E and vitamin B2. When it comes to minerals, Foodstruct reports that goat meat has solid levels of iron, potassium, copper, zinc, and phosphorus, while lamb has higher levels of magnesium. Lamb is also said to be lower in sodium.