The Benefits of Eating Lamb

February 17, 2023

According to USDA, “Sheep is the oldest domesticated meat species. Sheep have been raised by humans beginning about 9,000 years ago...” Lamb is a significant source of protein for people all around the world and has been for centuries. It has amazing health benefits that help the human body maintain essential functions and balance. As a matter of fact, it contains protein, omega 3’s, vitamins, and minerals.

Protein

Did you know that your body needs amino acids in order to support some of the body's most basic functions like producing energy and digesting nutrients? There are 22 amino acids total, and our body can make 13 of those amino acids internally. The other remaining 9 are called essential amino acids because you have to get them through eating healthy foods that contain them. When a food does contain all 9 of the essential amino acids, it is considered a complete protein. In 100 grams of lamb, there are about 17 grams of protein and all nine of the essential amino acids. Lamb is a complete protein and helps your body to maintain proper function.

Omega 3’s

When lamb is grass fed from start to finish, it can contain anywhere from 30 milligrams to 40 milligrams of omega 3. Just like amino acids, omega 3’s are fatty acids that the body cannot produce itself. Omega 3 is needed to create cell membranes that end up helping to regulate hormones and inflammation. While an ounce of lamb has about the same amount of calories as one ounce of beef, it has more omega 3’s and promotes better health.

Vitamins & Minerals

Lamb is also abundant in vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron, selenium, and B12. Each of these vitamins support muscle maintenance and growth. They also help your body to fight off infection, heal wounds, form blood cells and further the development of your nerves and brain. Lamb, beef, and other meats are one of the most recommended ways to get more B12 into your diet, as well as iron and selenium. In addition to those minerals, you can also find niacin and phosphorus in lamb.

Healthy Fats

Lamb also contains many healthy fats. It contains monounsaturated fats, which help your heart to have better function. Monounsaturated fats also help to reduce high cholesterol in your blood. Monounsaturated fats are generally known to be healthy when eaten in moderation. They are in many other healthy foods like nuts, seeds, and olive oil. In 3 and a half ounces of lamb, there is normally about 7 grams of monounsaturated fats.

Grass-fed and Hormone free?

While everyday store-bought lamb will fuel your body with protein and vitamins, grass-fed and hormone-free lamb does it much better. Worldwide, lambs are normally fed a mixture of grain and grass diets. Grass-fed lamb meat if more nutritious and contains higher amounts of vitamins and amino acids.

The USDA has prohibited the use of hormones in pork and poultry, but the beef and lamb industry still can use hormones. Essentially, that means that large meat producers can give their cattle and sheep extra testosterone or estrogen in order to make the animal grow faster. By doing this, the meat from those animals also contains higher amounts of those hormones.

Now that you understand the amazing health benefits you can get from grass-fed lambs, lets look at a great recipe to help you get started. This recipe for Grilled Lamb Kebabs is from Half Baked Harvest.

First you can make the marinade which has:

3 tablespoons of fresh parsley
2 tablespoons of fresh marjoram
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
2 gloves of garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Once you have marinaded the lamb, you can put them on skewers and grill them. Here are the items you can add:

2 pounds of lamb, cut into pieces
Salt and pepper
1 red bell pepper, cut
1 green bell pepper, cut
1 red onion, cut
Lemon wedges.

For additional instruction on how this can be made, go to halfbakedharvest.com.

Lamb is a great source of strength for the body and can be eaten in so many ways. It will support your body but will also provide your table with more flavor and variety. As you find meat that is grass-fed and hormone free you can be better equipped to fight off diseases and create a better lifestyle for you and your family.