Mince – a nutritional powerhouse and family favourite — BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND (2024)

Mince is a loved family favourite for many reasons: it’s a cheaper cut of meat, it’s versatile, easy to prepare and freezes well. However, one of the most underrated benefits of mince is its nutrition profile.

Mince is a type of meat that you can’t go wrong with. You can make burger patties, meatballs, spaghetti bolognese, koftas, meatloaf, cottage pie – the meal possibilities are endless. Not only is mince an incredibly versatile meat, it is also packed full of nutrients that can help support good health and wellbeing.

With mince, you don’t need to eat a lot of it to get the nutritional goodness. In fact, a 100g portion of lean, stewed, beef mince contains a good source* of protein, zinc, vitamins B3 and B12. It also contains a source** of iron, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins B1, B2, and B6. On the whole, these nutrients are essential for everyday functioning and the infographic below shows how they can support health and wellbeing.

We can of course buy pork, chicken, venison, beef and lamb mince. However, when it comes to beef and lamb mince, you can get a range of grades depending on where you are shopping, with terms such as ‘premium’, ‘prime’ and, regular beef mince. So, what do they all mean? As a general rule of thumb, the ‘premium’ mince has the lowest fat content and is the leanest, followed by prime then standard beef mince. If the mince doesn’t have a grade name labelled, you can often tell the leanest mince by looking at the packs that have the least amount of fat dispersed through the mince. There is currently no standardisation of what the fat content needs to be to make these claims, however, any mince with the Beef + Lamb Quality Mark is guaranteed to have less than 10% fat and is regulated by auditors. Regardless of the mince you buy, one way to further reduce the fat in a meal using mince is to drain the liquid that forms with cooking.

Overall health and wellbeing are determined by your dietary pattern and your lifestyle over a long period of time (so don’t expect your hair and nails to grow rapidly overnight after having one bowl of spaghetti bolognese). Having good-quality protein sources every day is one step towards a healthy diet, and by pairing mince with other foods, like vegetables or wholegrains (e.g. brown rice, wholegrain bread), you can achieve a balanced meal and get other nutrients that mince can’t provide (e.g. fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A).

If you want to get creative in the kitchen why not give some of our mince recipes a try? Here are a few of our favourites - click the image to check out the recipe.

* A good source means the food contributes at least 25% of your recommended daily intake for a particular nutrient

**A source means the food contributes at least 10% of your recommended daily intake for a particular nutrient

Mince – a nutritional powerhouse and family favourite — BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND (2024)

FAQs

Is beef mince healthier than lamb mince? ›

Lamb mince can be seen as healthier than minced beef, as it contains more omega 3 fatty acids. This being said, the same weight in meat can contain the same amount of calories, as they can both be grass-fed.

Which mince meat is the healthiest? ›

Turkey mince is a healthier alternative to beef mince or lamb mince in dishes such as bolognese, chilli or meatballs.

Is eating mince meat good for you? ›

Not only is mince an incredibly versatile meat, it is also packed full of nutrients that can help support good health and wellbeing. With mince, you don't need to eat a lot of it to get the nutritional goodness.

What is the difference between prime and premium mince NZ? ›

Prime beef mince offers a reduced fat content at a moderate price. This is best for burgers, as the fat helps to keep the patties juicy. Premium beef mince offers the lowest fat content at a higher cost. This is best for stir-fries and pasta dishes where the fat isn't necessary.

Does lamb mince taste like beef? ›

Flavor: Lamb has a unique and distinct flavor that is often described as gamey or earthy. It is a bit milder than beef and has a slightly sweet undertone.

Is lamb easier to digest than beef? ›

For building muscle and strength beef is better option, lamb is also a good choice for bodybuilding but not good as beef because beef has higher amount of protein and less in fat. But lamb is easier to digest and has more omega-3 and healthier fat which is improved your heart health.

What is the most unhealthy meat to eat? ›

try to limit processed meat products such as sausages, salami, pâté and beefburgers, because these are generally high in fat – they are often high in salt, too. try to limit meat products in pastry, such as pies and sausage rolls, because they are often high in fat and salt.

Is ground beef the same as mince? ›

Ground meat, called mince or minced meat outside North America, is meat finely chopped by a meat grinder or a chopping knife. A common type of ground meat is ground beef, but many other types of meats are prepared in a similar fashion, including pork, veal, lamb, goat meat, and poultry.

What are processed meats to avoid? ›

Eating too much bacon, sausages, hot dogs, canned meat, or lunch meat—meat that has been processed in some way to preserve or flavor it—is bad for health, according to experts. A number of studies have found links between processed meat and various forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood.

How often should you eat mince meat? ›

Aim to have red meat just once or twice a week, ideally swapping out processed meats altogether. Swap lamb or beef mince for turkey or vegetarian mince in spaghetti bolognese, lasagne and chilli con carne.

Do bodybuilders eat mince meat? ›

When trying to gain muscle it's best to find foods that can support mass protein intake without adding on significant calorie intake. Lean mince contains high protein as well as B vitamins, minerals and creatine making it a staple food in your muscle-building diet.

What is the best mince meat to buy? ›

The Chuck Steak is one of the best cuts to use for mince because it has great texture & flavour, grinding up perfectly.

Why does beef mince taste different? ›

Diet is one of the most influential factors that impacts beef flavor and aroma. This is because the dietary nutrients cattle consume directly impact the fatty acid profile and nutrient profile of their fat. One of the most-common mantras in the meat industry is that fat is flavor.

What percentage of fat is in New Zealand mince? ›

Flavoursome grass fed new zealand prime beef mince, containing typically 87% meat and 13% fat.

Which is healthier, ground beef or ground lamb? ›

Although lamb has slightly more calories and fat than beef, the two types of meat have comparable levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Lamb has more selenium, while beef has more zinc. Both types of meat are good sources of iron, particularly heme iron, which is more bioavailable than the iron found in plants.

Is lamb or beef worse for cholesterol? ›

Similar Cholesterol Levels

The cholesterol level of lamb versus other red meats is similar, although the cut of each meat dictates its nutritional value. Per ounce, boneless lamb chops, trimmed to 1/8-inch fat, have 19 milligrams of cholesterol. When broiled, an ounce of ground lamb has 27 milligrams of cholesterol.

Is lamb mince processed meat? ›

Processed meat is meat that's been cured, salted, smoked, or otherwise preserved in some way (such as bacon, sausages, hot dogs, ham, salami, and pepperoni). However, this doesn't include fresh burgers or mince – putting meat through a mincer doesn't mean it becomes 'processed' unless it is modified further.

What is the best meat for mince? ›

Beef chuck is a popular primal cut of meat favored for mincing due to its valued protein-to-fat ratio composition. Butchered from the cow shoulder, beef chuck is a tough cut that turns tender when ground or slow cooked, making it a top option for just about any dish that calls for minced meat.

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