Know your meat: which meats contain the most cholesterol?

Cholesterol is either produced by the body or found in the food you eat. Being knowledgeable about cholesterol levels in the food you eat can therefore help you make decisions that benefit your health and live a more fulfilling life. In general, organ meats, such as liver, contain the highest amounts of cholesterol. Cutting away the fat from meat is a smart thing to do if you want to keep your own cholesterol level within a healthy range. In general, it is best to eat more heart-healthy food sources, such as seafood smoked salmon and the like) rather than meat, and to keep the consumption of red meat to a minimum. This way you can continue to enjoy your meat without worrying about the consequences for your health. Choose your meat products wisely, whether you are buying cuts at the local butcher's or ordering food hampers online.

Here is a brief guide to the amount of cholesterol in different meats (the amounts given are for a single serving of meat prepared without additional fat):

Beef
Cholesterol levels (per serving) in mgs for various cuts of beef from lowest to highest:

Rib Roast ________________________________________ 40-72
Round Eye ________________________________________ 52-62
Sirloin ________________________________________ 64-77
Chuck Roast ________________________________________ 66-87
Ground Beef ________________________________________ 74
Bottom Round ________________________________________ 75-81
Canned Corned Beef ________________________________________ 80
Veal Cutlet ________________________________________ 86
Beef Heart ________________________________________ 164-180
Beef Liver ________________________________________ 269-410
Beef Brain ________________________________________ 2,635

Lamb
Cholesterol levels (per serving) in mgs for various cuts of lamb from lowest to highest:

Roasted Lamb Ribs ________________________________________ 50-77
Lamb Chops ________________________________________ 59-78
Leg of Lamb ________________________________________ 65-78
Lamb Brain ________________________________________ 1,737

Chicken
Cholesterol levels (per serving) in mgs for various cuts of chicken prepared in different ways:

Roasted Chicken Breast ________________________________________ 73
Fried Breaded Chicken Breast ________________________________________ 87
Fried Battered Chicken Breast ________________________________________ 119
Roasted Chicken Leg ________________________________________ 41
Fried Breaded Chicken Leg ________________________________________ 44
Fried Battered Chicken Leg ________________________________________ 62
Canned Boneless Chicken ________________________________________ 88
Chicken Liver ________________________________________ 126


Photo source Anthony Albright