If you’re someone who fancies exotic foods, then you’ve probably considered alligator meat as another option on an exotic menu. Beyond all that deliciousness, however, lies the question we know you’ll definitely want some clarity over. Is alligator meat healthy and nutritious for consumption?
The answer is a conclusive yes! In fact, you can get lots of protein and healthy calories from a single serving of alligator meat. You also get varying compositions of low saturated fat, essential vitamins, and minerals depending on which part you eat.
Although the nutritional value depends on the preparation, alligator meat is generally a good and healthy low-fat dish to try. Apart from being a healthy meat choice, here’s a little deeper look into what makes alligator meat a great choice.
Is alligator meat good for you? Other than being obviously delicious, there are lots of health benefits derivable from the consumption of alligator meat. Here are some of the benefits you can look forward to whenever it’s time for some alligator meat.
1. Lower levels of Saturated Fat
Red meat is a popular meat choice, but its biggest challenge is the high level of saturated fat it contains. Alligator meat contains only 4 grams of saturated fat per 3.5 ounces of serving, a fraction of the 14grams per serving for beef. That makes it a much healthier meat choice even at similar nutrient levels.
2. Cholesterol Free
You’ll likely find that surprising, but it’s true! Not only does alligator meat have low amounts of saturated fat, but it also has zero cholesterol. So even if you’ll have to pay a premium for it, you’re getting a much better deal in the end.
Fair enough, you’ll probably think of fruits and vegetables first before anything else when it comes to vitamins and minerals. But while we’re still focusing on meat sources, alligators deliver quite a punch. Makes you wonder why it’s not always on everybody’s menu yet, doesn’t it?
4. Rich in High-Quality Protein
Sometimes you have control over what part of an alligator ends up on your plate, other times you may not. Choices aside, however, any part of the alligator meat is packed full of protein for your special enjoyment. Here’s another fun trivia while we’re at it, gator meat retains twice as much fat as a similar-sized beef.
What Does Alligator Meat Taste Like?
This one here is by all means a very valid question. After all, there’s not much fun in getting all those nutrients and calories when the taste isn’t to one’s liking. Depending on what part of a gator ends up on your plate, it can taste like chicken, fish, or beef.
This gives it a type of uniqueness you’re one is unlikely to find with any other meat source. While you’ll enjoy the meat from any section of an alligator, the best part is easily the tail. Often similar in texture to the meat from young calves, it can taste like rabbit or chicken, even fish.
The meat from other parts of the alligator taste instead, more like pork shoulders. If you prefer tougher-textured meat options, then you’ll love this type of meat and its usually heavier flavor.
Just like any other type of meat, alligator meat will taste differently depending on how you just had it prepared. But beyond that, there are often changes in the nutritional value of alligator meat we think you’ll find interesting. This depends not just on the cooking method employed, but also on cut and diet factors as well.
Based on Cut
You might think taste makes all the difference there is when you’re guessing what part that alligator meat came from. Not quite. Although for the most part, there is little difference in nutritional value, experts believe the gator’s tail meat is best. Cuts from the body, torso, and feet then follow in that order.
Based on Diet
How good of a diet the next alligator meat you’ll have depends also on how it fed when it lived. Farm-raised alligators enjoy lower access to protein-rich diets of fish and small animals, unlike their wild counterparts. Their more carbohydrate-based diets produce meats with more fat and lesser vitamins and minerals compared to alligators from the wild.
Based on Preparation
When it comes to cooking options for alligator meat, the simplest way is most often the best way to go. Whether you’re making a steak or fillet, too much sauteing and condiments can destroy more nutrients than you’ll want. Just like when reheating meatloaf, light cooking ensures you keep the meat flavor and nutrients sticking around long enough.
Alligators and Crocodiles
More people than you’d think actually will confuse alligators with crocodiles and mistake one for the other. It’s no surprise since both animals look remarkably similar to each other, physically and biologically.
Nutritionally speaking, however, there is even more similarity between both animals as the meat properties of both are basically equal. The only main difference between the two is the sodium content, which is just a little higher in crocodile meat. So, you’ll probably rarely notice a difference when eating one instead of the other.
Precautions to Take Before Eating Alligator Meat
Before deciding on taking your first gator bite, there are some things you’ll need to be aware of. While generally healthy and nutritious, exercise care in eating alligator meat like you will any other type of meat.
Wild-caught alligator meat could potentially have traces of mercury pollution depending on the type of habitat they’re caught in. It is, therefore, best to ensure that young children and pregnant women totally avoid consuming them. Older people also should avoid eating wild alligators more often than once a month.
However, farmed alligators have no pollution risks associated with their consumption. So, if you have an acquired taste for this exotic meat, you can always choose the farm-grown ones. You’ll find these in restaurants or your average grocery store around the corner.
Conclusion
Alligator meat is perfect if you’re excited about exploring new and exotic food experiences or seeking healthier meat alternatives. It is a healthy, nutritious, and delicious food that’s as exotic as they come. We think you should try it at least once, and get the tail cut if you can.
