Over the last few years, more and more people are adding healthier alternatives to their diets. As a society, we're becoming much more knowledgeable about healthy choices, fat content, and artificial ingredients. There has been a growing trend away from some of the traditional high fat and high cholestorol meat choices, while seeking out healthier, easy-to-prepare alternatives. Certain types of wild game meats, previously largely unavailable in the marketplace, are turning up more and more frequently on restaurant menus and dinner tables.

The term "wild game" generally refers to wild animals and birds. Let's contrast wild game with farm-raised game. Farm raised game are originally wild species of animals and birds that have been raised for sale under existing State regulations. These regulations are important to consumers because game species raised on farms under appropriate conditions can be sold via the marketplace to the end consumer.

Wild game meat is a term used to describe animals harvested in the wild, but its meaning is broader in focus. Actually, the term wild game meat is meant to desribe game meats raised specifically for consumption, under State regulations and with balanced, specific diets. These meats can be sold to the end consumer, and result in a pleasant, mild taste that's very enjoyable to most consumers.

There is one major distinction between wild game, as most people think of it, vs. farm raised game. Farm raised game is intended for the individual consumer, while wild game can be harvested but not sold in the consumer marketplace. Also, farm raised game has much greater health benefit, and taste, as mentioned.

It's not uncommon to see game meats like buffalo, ostrich, and elk on restaurant menus. In fact, several prominent chain restaurants feature these meats due to rising consumer demand. While these meats being served to diners are actually farm raised game, the term wild game meat is still the most widely used and accepted term when discussing non traditional cuts of meat.

How Healthy Are Wild Game Meats?

You'll occasionally see both elk meat and ostrich meat on restaurant menus. Also, certain online providers offer elk meat, ostrich meat, and other wild game meats direct to the consumer. The low fat content of these meats are very appealing to health conscious diners. In fact, elk meat and ostrich meat are lower in fat than fish or chicken breast. Elk meat has a surprisingly low 1% fat content, while ostrich meat generally ranges from 2-3%.

Demand for wild game meats continues to increase, not only due to their low fat content but because they are high in protein and very easy to prepare. Specialty suppliers and online resources sites offer cooking tips, and elk meat, ostrich meat, and buffalo meats are packaged as burgers, steaks, or roasts. Wild game meats are easy to cook, and most diners are pleasantly surprised with their taste.

Wild game meats are rapidly becoming part of mainstream diets and restaurant choices due to their savory taste and health benefits. Elk, buffalo, ostrich, caribou, and many more types of wild game are available and easy to prepare as roasts, steaks, burgers, and more.

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Jim Hofman is a backyard chef who enjoys the great taste and lower fat content of wild game meats , and sharing his discoveries with his friends and readers. Check out some free buffalo meat recipes here. Enjoy!