Roasted Pork Tenderloin - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is pork tenderloin healthy for weight loss? ›

Lean cuts of pork, like the tenderloin, serve up protein with fewer calories, making them a good choice for weight loss. When it comes to losing weight, getting a handle on how many calories you're eating is important, but so is making sure you're getting an appropriate balance of carbs, fat and protein.

Pork tenderloin is a very healthy meat. It has virtually no fat and it cooks up more quickly and tastily than chicken breast. A pork tenderloin is almost pure protein, so it is excellent for maintaining healthy human bodies.

When you're looking for lean protein to include in your diet, or when you simply crave some healthy meat, pork tenderloin is a good choice. It's low in fat, high in protein and a rich source of B vitamins and selenium.

The safe internal pork cooking temperature for fresh cuts is 145° F. To check doneness properly, use a digital cooking thermometer. Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor.

Lean meats include skinless chicken breast, the white meat part of the turkey, and lean cuts of beef. Leafy greens, green tea, and bright vegetables can help reduce swelling and turn off fat-storage genes. Bright, colorful vegetables also add color and crunch to the meal plan.

After three months, there were significant reductions in weight, BMI, waist circumference, percentage of body fat, fat mass and abdominal fat in the pork group relative to controls, which persisted for six months. There was no change in lean mass, indicating that the reduction in weight was due to loss of fat mass.

Pork tenderloin may be the trimmest of them all, but the loin cuts, including pork chops and roasts, are the next leanest with 147 calories and a smidge over 5 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving.

Pork tenderloin is slightly higher in calories and fat compared to chicken breast, but the difference is minimal. When cooked without extra fats, both can fit well into a low-calorie, high-protein diet. Cholesterol levels in meats have often been a concern for heart health.

Nutritionally, pork possesses a wide range of essential nutrients like energizing B vitamins, choline for developing babies, and iron for healthy red blood cells. A 3-ounce serving of lean pork is loaded with protein and low in fat. Eating lean pork daily can be a part of a well-balanced, high-nutrient diet.

While pork belly and processed pork options such as ham and sausage are not generally low cholesterol meats, some pork options may be okay. One example is pork tenderloin. It is a relatively lean cut, and trimming any additional fat before cooking can help limit its impact on cholesterol.

Is pork loin healthier than steak? ›

Is pork worse than beef? Both pork and beef are high in proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, beef tends to have more calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol than pork. Pork may be a better choice, then, if you're trying to manage your blood cholesterol levels.

Pork is a perfect partner with other heart healthy foods, fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Ingles Dietitian, Leah McGrath RD, LDN offers this advice for pork in a heart-healthy meal: “Pork tenderloin is a lean and versatile option in the meat case.

If fresh pork has reached 145°F (62.8 °C) throughout, even though it may still be pink in the center, it should be safe. The pink color can be due to the cooking method or added ingredients.

Keep in mind that most fresh pork products are leaner than other types of meat you might be familiar with. Because of this, the USDA suggests cooking it to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the same temperature for every variation of pork you might choose from pork tenderloin to shoulder.

Bake at 400 degrees F until pork registers between 145- and 150-degrees F (63 and 65 degrees C) at the thickest part of the tenderloin, 15-25 minutes depending on thickness. This means the pork will be juicy and slightly pink in the middle.

If you're looking for the healthiest pork options, you want lean cuts -- tenderloin, loin chops and sirloin roast. Bacon and other fatty cuts are very high in artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol and not for everyday eating.

Pork tenderloin is slightly higher in calories and fat compared to chicken breast, but the difference is minimal. When cooked without extra fats, both can fit well into a low-calorie, high-protein diet. Cholesterol levels in meats have often been a concern for heart health.

How Lean Is Pork Tenderloin? The USDA rates pork tenderloin as "extra lean," with a nutritional profile that rivals skinless chicken breast. Combine lean and tender with boneless, and we're talking about a pricier cut of meat — but so worth it.

Pork may be a better choice, then, if you're trying to manage your blood cholesterol levels. At the same time, though, beef has higher levels of minerals like zinc, calcium, and iron and certain vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin K, so it can be a healthier choice in some cases.