Nutrition Facts
- during intensive training
- to lose weight during a high protein diet
- to lower the risk of certain health problems such as cardiovascular disease
- or simply to enjoy a healthy, unique Canadian product
PROTEIN
Seal meat is rich in protein, low in cholesterol (5mg / 100 g) and is sugar-free (0/100 g). With a protein content of between 23 g per 100 g (23%), the loin and the flipper have a protein rating of 62 and 57 respectively.
EXCELLENT SOURCE OF IRON
Regardless of the cut, seal meat is one of the best source of iron (heme iron), even exceeding the iron content of pig liver.[i] A serving of 100 g of seal loin contains 35.5 mg or 250% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)[ii], while the flipper provides 130% of the RDI with 18.7 mg per serving of 100g.
Iron depletion is the most common deficiency in Canada and around the world. More than 30% of the world’s population are currently affected by iron deficiency. In Canada, more than 10% of women of reproductive age do not consume enough iron. [iii]
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemias may include[iv]:
- Reduced immune function and resistance to infection
- Impaired cognitive performance and behaviour
- Decreased thermoregulatory performance and energy metabolism
- Diminished exercise or work capacity
- Increased incidence of preterm deliveries and low birthweight infants
SOURCE OF MAGNESIUM AND ZINC
A serving of 100g of loin represents a good source of magnesium (20% of the RDI), zinc (18%), phosphorus (14%) and copper (10%). The loin contains 210 mg of potassium and 280 mg of sodium per serving, representing 6 and 12% of the RDI.
The flipper (or shoulder) represents an excellent source of magnesium and zinc with a 25% and a 40% of the RDI per 100g serving respectively. Like the loin, the flipper is a source of phosphorus (15% of the RDI), copper (6% of the RDI) and a source of potassium, containing 200 mg (6% AQR).
On the other hand, since both cuts of meat already contain sodium, it is desirable to add little or no salt during their preparation.
LOW IN FAT
Seal meat has a very low fat content of up to 1g of lipids per 100g of meat. Almost half of these lipids come from the family of monounsaturated fatty acids (0.3g per serving of 100g) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.1g per serving of 100g).
Nutrition facts
Harp Seal Loin
Harp Seal FLIPPER
NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF SEAL MEAT AS COMPARED WITH OTHER MEATS
Did you know?
Seal meat is lean with less than 2% total fat compared to 23% for beef. On average, consumption of only 40 g seal meat covers the recommended daily intakes of iron and vitamin B-12 for young women. Due to its high iron content, seal meat is closer to a wild game like deer or moose than any seafood.
- [i] Pig liver: 18 mg of iron per 100 g
- [ii] The Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is the daily intake level of a nutrient considered to be sufficient to meet the requirements of healthy individuals.
- [iii] http://extenso.org/article/fer/: visited on September 23rd 2016.
- [iv] Statistics Canada: Iron sufficiency of Canadians. Government of Canada. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2012004/article/11742-eng.htm Visited on Nov. 27th 2016.
- [v] Évaluation nutritionnelle de la viande de loup-marin (Phoque du Groenland) MERINOV, Oct. 2016.
- [vi] Évaluation nutritionnelle de la viande de loup-marin (Phoque du Groenland) MERINOV, Oct. 2016.