The energy value of food is measured as calories or kilojoules.
One calorie (cal) = 4.2 kilojoules (kJ). The energy value of meat depends mainly on the amount of fat it contains and on the cooking method used for example, frying with added oil will have a higher energy content.
To find out how beef and lamb compare with other foods see table below.
FOOD | KILOGOULES | CALORIES |
Nuts, mixed, salted | 2500 | 595 |
Cheese Cheddar, mild | 1730 | 412 |
Bacon, grilled | 1340 | 319 |
Pork shoulder roasted | 955 | 227 |
Lamb, lean, cooked meat (average) | 892 | 188 |
Beef, lean, cooked meat (average) | 841 | 200 |
Chicken thigh, roasted | 764 | 182 |
Lamb leg, roasted | 668 | 159 |
Beef mince (lean), stewed | 628 | 149 |
Beef and lamb do not supply carbohydrate except for a small amount as glycogen in liver. Some varieties of meat have a small amount as added cereal for example, sausages.
Lean meat contains 50% to 75% water. B vitamins and other natural substances are dissolved in this water.