A 3 oz. serving of venison steak contains 67 mg of dietary cholesterol. That is less than the cholesterol in most other meats, both red and white. Substituting venison for higher-cholesterol meats may be a beneficial health choice if you have excessively high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Cholesterol Function
Dietary cholesterol -- which is listed on most nutrition labels -- is different from blood cholesterol. There are two main types of cholesterol in your body: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is commonly referred to as "bad" cholesterol, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is commonly referred to as "good" cholesterol. Dietary and blood cholesterol are related, and eating foods that contain significant amounts of dietary cholesterol can contribute to elevated levels of the bad LDL cholesterol in some people.
Cholesterol Recommended Intake
Your blood cholesterol levels are not solely dependent on your diet; Harvard School of Public Health notes that in most cases, your body creates more cholesterol than it processes from your diet. Some people respond more strongly to dietary cholesterol intake. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, healthy individuals should limit their daily dietary cholesterol intake to no more than 300 mg per day.
Cholesterol in Other Meats
A 3 oz. serving of broiled beef sirloin steak contains 70 mg of cholesterol, slightly more than in the same serving of broiled venison. The same sized serving of broiled pork chops contains 61 mg of cholesterol, slightly less than in venison. A serving of roasted skinless chicken breast contains 72 mg of cholesterol; a serving of roasted skinless turkey contains 65 mg of cholesterol; and a serving of bison contains 72 mg of cholesterol.
Fat Content
The fat content -- particularly the saturated fat content -- of your food also has a significant impact on your blood cholesterol. Venison can be beneficial in this regard, because it is naturally one of the leanest meats, with 2.02 g of total fat and 0.75 g of saturated fat per serving. Beef contains 4.92 g of total fat and 1.87 g of saturated fat; pork contains 5.17 g of total fat and 1.77 g of saturated fat; chicken contains 3.03 g of total fat and 0.86 g of saturated fat; turkey contains 4.22 g of total fat and 1.24 g of saturated fat; and bison contains 4.22 g of total fat and 1.66 g of saturated fat.
