How Much Protein in Three Ounces of Lamb?

Lamb isn't quite as popular as beef, chicken and pork, but it's worth a thought when you make your next dinner menu. The meat supplies similar amounts of protein compared to other types of meat, but it also has several key vitamins and minerals. However, it does contain saturated fat, which means you can enjoy it occasionally but you probably shouldn't eat it on a daily basis.

Protein in Lamb

A 3-ounce serving of lamb foreshank contains about 26 grams of protein. Men should aim to eat 56 grams of protein per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so this portion supplies 46 percent of that amount. Women need less protein each day with 46 grams, and this serving of lamb supplies 57 percent of that amount. A 3-ounce serving of leg of lamb delivers 24 grams of protein. Three ounces of ground lamb contain 21 grams of protein.

Functions of Protein

Protein is responsible for many aspects of human life. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, there are at least 10,000 proteins that help keep your body working the way it needs to for you to survive. Protein might also help you maintain a healthy weight because it fills you up; you also digest it more slowly than foods that don't contain a lot of protein. This possibly means that you eat less overall because you don't feel as hungry. If you eat a diet that includes a variety of healthy foods, you probably get all of the protein you need.

Additional Nutrients

Lamb is a good source of zinc, a mineral that enables you to smell, taste and see normally. The mineral plays a role in the health of your reproductive system, as well. A 3-ounce serving of leg of lamb or ground lamb contains approximately 4 milligrams of zinc. That's half of the 8 milligrams women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding need on a daily basis and one-third of the 11 milligrams men need. Lamb foreshank supplies 7.3 milligrams of zinc. You'll also get about 2 micrograms of vitamin B12 from a 3-ounce portion of lamb, which is almost all of the 2.4 micrograms you need each day. Vitamin B12 is crucial for the health of your red blood cells, nerves and brain. A serving of lamb also supplies iron, potassium and niacin.

Serving Suggestions

Because lamb can contain upwards of 7 grams of saturated fat per serving, depending on what cut you choose, make it a special indulgence rather than something you'd eat everyday. When you do have lamb, choose lean cuts. For example, ground lamb can contain 6.9 grams of saturated fat per serving while leg of lamb only has 1.8 grams. Rub a leg of lamb with a blend of olive oil and your favorite spices, roast it and serve it with brown rice and steamed vegetables for a nutritious meal. Use lean ground lamb for a new take on hamburgers or combine ground beef and ground lamb for a flavorful meatloaf.