'Leanest' red meat in the world is rarely eaten and is low-fat like chicken
Venison has the same amount of fat and protein as chicken breast, but sales are miniscule compared with other red meats
While chicken and turkey are the usual lean meat choices for many, there's another equally nutritious option that's often overlooked - venison. Despite having the same fat and protein content as chicken breast, venison sales are less in comparison to other red meats.
According to the nutrition app ZOE, roast venison contains 1.5g of fat and 21.6g of protein per 100kcals, mirroring the nutritional profile of a chicken breast. The only leaner option is turkey breast, boasting just 1.1g of fat per 100kcals and 22.6g of protein.
In contrast, ham has around 3.1g of fat and 17.2g of protein, lamb contains 4.6g of fat and 14.7g of protein, and a piece of gammon has 6g of fat and 8.1g of protein, reports Surrey Live.
Beef's fat content varies depending on the cut, but for instance, a lean fillet steak has 4.3g of fat.
The least healthy meats include streaky bacon, with 8g of fat and 7.1g of protein per 100kcals, and pork sausages, which have 7.5g of fat and 4.9g of protein.
Although fish isn't included in these figures, if it were, ZOE suggests tuna as the best option, with just 588mg of fat and 23.8g of protein per 100kcals. Cod also makes a healthy choice, with 755mg of fat and 23.2g of protein.
Venison, a versatile red meat, can be cooked in various ways - roasted, grilled, barbecued, fried, pot-roasted, braised, or used in stews and casseroles.
Originally, the term referred to the flesh of any game animal, but today it is commonly associated with deer meat.
However, in the USA, it also refers to the meat from any antlered animals such as moose, antelope, elk, reindeer, and caribou.
BBC Food states: "The lean, red meat is low in fat and full of flavour and has become popular and widely available.
"Deer can be classified as wild deer, park deer (reared in herds that roam parklands), or farmed deer (rearing varies from free-range to intensive).
"The most common varieties of deer in the UK are red, fallow and roe."
Pure Gourmet, a meat wholesaler, describes venison as "the clean healthy red meat". They say "Venison is not only low in fat and cholesterol, but high in vital nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and phosphorus.
"Like any non-farm produced animal, venison is resistant to disease and does not live on a diet of antibiotics and steroids.
"Many people stay away because they believe the flavour is too strong, venison actually has a wonderful woody, almost fruity flavour that is truly fantastic. Don't compare it to beef, because there is no comparison in flavour, though the texture is similar."
Speciality Food Magazine has reported that venison contributed a modest £15.2 million to the UK economy in 2022, marking a 20.3 per cent increase from 2019, although it remains a small fraction of the UK's meat market. In contrast, The Grocer's report reveals that beef is the nation's favourite red meat, with a market value of a staggering £3 billion last year.
Bacon takes the second spot, valued at £1 billion, followed by sausages, worth £963 million.
A 2020 study revealed that Waitrose is responsible for approximately one third of venison sales in the UK.
Despite a significant portion of the venison sold in Britain being sourced from UK farms, imports from New Zealand also makeup a large part of the market.