Buffalo Meat Nutritional Facts

Buffalo meat is lower in calories and fat, yet higher in protein, than beef. A 100 gram or 3.5 ounce serving of cooked buffalo top sirloin is also higher in iron and most B vitamins than a 100 gram serving of cooked beef top sirloin. Dietary reference intake, or DRI, percentages are for adults under age 50.

Protein and Calories

A 100 gram serving of cooked buffalo top sirloin contains 146 calories, most of which come from the 32.5 grams of protein in each serving. This is 71 percent of the DRI for women and 58 percent for men. Buffalo meat is a complete protein, providing all nine essential amino acids. It is especially high in leucine and lysine. Leucine promotes healing of connective tissue and promotes growth, while lysine fights cold sores and helps rebuild damaged tissue.

Fat and Carbohydrates

One serving of buffalo meat contains only 1.8 grams of fat, which accounts for only 16 of the 146 calories. One serving also contains 82 mg of cholesterol, 27 percent of the maximum recommended daily allowance. This is slightly less than the 90 mg of cholesterol in 100 grams of beef. One serving of buffalo contains no carbohydrates.

Minerals

Buffalo meat contains significant amounts of numerous minerals. One serving supplies 35 percent of the DRI for phosphorus, 19 percent of the DRI for potassium and 21 percent for copper. A 100 gram serving of cooked buffalo also provides 35 percent of the DRI for zinc for women and 31 percent for men, as well as more than 20 percent of the DRI for iron. Zinc is important for proper immune function and reproductive health, while iron is important for oxygen transportation.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Buffalo meat is also a significant source of many vitamins. One serving supplies more than 50 percent of the DRI for niacin, B-6 and B-12, all important for healthy metabolism. One serving of buffalo meat also provides more than 35 percent of the DRI for riboflavin, also known as B-2. Twenty percent of the DRI for pantothenic acid is provided by one serving of buffalo meat, as is more than 10 percent of the DRI for thiamine.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Buffalo meat is not as high in fat-soluble vitamins as it is in water-soluble vitamins. One serving contains only .59 mg of vitamin E, which is 4 percent of the DRI.