This Is the Unhealthiest Steak to Order, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That

Sometimes when you place an order in a spityou can be riddled also Many options. Which steak is worth ordering? Are all steaks the same when it comes to your health, or do they have different benefits? Unfortunately, not all steak cuts are created equal: some are much higher in fat and calories than others, which can negatively affect your long-term health.

So which steak should you avoid if you want to make better nutritional choices while dining out? We asked an expert from our medical board to share your insight.

rib eye steak
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Ribeye is one of the worst steaks to order,” He says Lisa Young, PhD, RDNauthor of Finally full, finally slim. “It’s marbled with fat and it’s also full of saturated fat. This type of fat is not heart healthy, as it can raise your ‘Unhealthy’ LDL cholesterol And it can clog the arteries.”

According to the USDA, a typical ribeye steak contains 63 grams of fat (96% of your Daily Value), 28 grams of saturated fat (140% of your DV). As Young explains, eating too much saturated fat can raise the LDL cholesterol in the blood, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. While the Dietary Guidelines for Americans State saturated fat should only equal 10% of your total calories, the American Heart Association says limit it even further to just 13 grams per day, and ribeye steak far exceeds that number.

Also, because ribeye is generally higher in fat than most, Young notes that “this steak is also higher in calories than other steaks and can add unnecessary calories.” A ribeye steak clocks in at 847 calories per serving.

Young suggests that the best solution for a steak would be to look for a leaner option, such as top sirloin. A 3-ounce serving of top sirloin has 207 calories and only contains 12 grams of fat and 4.8 grams of saturated fat. Lean steak, like top sirloin, is also a great source of protein—containing 23 grams per 3 ounces.

“It’s certainly fine to indulge in this steak once in a while,” says Young. “And if it includes vegetables, that’s even better.”

If you’re just grilling a steak at home, fill the rest of your plate with vegetables like these Parmesan Roasted AsparagusEast Sauteed Balsamic Zucchinior some Garlic Lemon Spinach.

kiersten hickman

Kiersten Hickman is a freelance health and nutrition journalist. read more

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