Red meat

Ostrich

Written by the VitaWhat editorial team · Medically reviewed by Steve Davis · Last reviewed 19 July 2026 · Editorial policy

A red meat that eats like beef but is very lean.

Effect on the body: gives the iron and B12 benefits of red meat with a fraction of the saturated fat, making it heart-friendlier.

Benefits

  • Iron
  • Protein
  • B12
  • Very low fat

Pros

  • Beef-like taste with far less fat
  • High iron and B12
  • Low environmental impact

Cons

  • Dries out quickly
  • Pricey
  • Still classed as red meat

Sources & references

  1. WHO — Q&A on red/processed meat
  2. British Nutrition Foundation

Related entries

Beef (lean)Buffalo (water buffalo)CamelGoatHorseLamb
VitaWhat is an educational reference only. It is not medical advice and is not authoritative. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, supplements or treatment. See how this content is produced in our editorial policy; report an error via the contact page.