Bison Compared to Beef

Bison and beef offer a number of nutritional similarities, as they are both rich in protein and lack carbohydrates. Despite these similarities, bison and beef do have some differences. As you can substitute one for the other in many recipes, such as burgers, you can decide which one better suits your dietary goals.

Calories

If you're trying to gain weight to improve performance for a sport, beef may be a better choice for you. A 3 oz. serving of beef sirloin provides 207 calories, while a 3 oz. serving of bison sirloin contains 145 calories. If you're dieting, bison would be the better choice, although you could make up the difference in calories by jogging for just 6 1/2 minutes.

Protein

Bison and beef are both protein-rich foods, but the difference isn't dramatic. A 3 oz. serving of bison sirloin offers 24 g of protein, while a 3 oz. serving of beef sirloin contains 23 g. Protein is a nutrient that promotes the growth and repair of your body's hard and soft tissues, including bone and muscle.

Fat

The disparity between the calorie content of beef and bison is due to the fat content. A 3 oz. serving of beef sirloin contains 12 g of fat, while 3 oz. of bison sirloin contains just 5 g. Beef sirloin is also higher in saturated fat, with 5 g, compared to 2 g of saturated fat in bison sirloin. The USDA suggests limiting saturated fat to just 10 percent of your total daily calories as it can increase your risk of heart disease.

Carbohydrates

Both beef and bison are carbohydrate-free, which makes them beneficial for low-carbohydrate diets. However, some foods typically served with beef and bison, such as potatoes, beans and hamburger buns, are rich in carbohydrates.

Vitamins and Minerals

Beef and bison aren't rich sources of vitamins, as they provide limited amounts of B vitamins and vitamin E, but no vitamin A or vitamin C. However, beef is a rich source of choline, a B vitamin involved in fat metabolism. Both beef and bison are high in phosphorus and potassium but low in calcium and copper. The two meats also provide comparable amounts of zinc, and bison provides nearly twice the iron in beef.