Nutrition In Thin-sliced Pork Chops

Pork chops come from the loin, or upper middle portion, of a pig carcass. Also known as loin chops, pork chops are available in a variety of thicknesses. Thin-sliced pork chops contribute protein and fat but no carbohydrate to your diet, with a 3-ounce portion providing roughly 150 calories. They also provide you with several B vitamins, vitamin D and an assortment of minerals.

Protein

A thin-sliced pork chop weighing 3 ounces offers nearly 23 grams of protein. Your body uses the protein you consume to create a pool of dietary amino acids, and, from this pool, your cells synthesize new proteins you need for muscle growth, immune health, blood supply maintenance and hormone production. The protein in thin-sliced pork chops, being from an animal source, contains the full complement of essential amino acids you require from your diet to support these needs. The high-protein content of pork chops can also serve as a fuel source when your diet lacks adequate carbohydrates or fats.

Fat

The lean portion of a pork chop adds a modest amount of fat to your diet, with a 3-ounce thin slice containing just over 6 grams. Dietary fat is a vital component of good health, providing energy to fuel your activities, cushioning for your internal organs, building blocks for healthy cell membranes and a vehicle for fat-soluble vitamins. More than one-third of the fat in lean, thin-sliced pork chops is saturated fat, however. This type of fat is less beneficial than unsaturated fat, and a high intake is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. A 3-ounce pork chop also delivers 70 milligrams of cholesterol, another type of dietary fat than can be bad for your heart.

Vitamins

Pork chops are a rich source of many B vitamins. These vitamins function as enzymatic cofactors for metabolizing the foods you eat. They also help build a healthy blood supply, synthesize proteins and ensure your nervous system works properly. A thin, 3-ounce pork chop contributes nearly half of your recommended daily intake for niacin, vitamin B-6 and thiamin. It supplies you with 20 percent of your daily vitamin B-12, as well as 17 percent of your riboflavin and 11 percent of your pantothenic acid. In addition, this serving size of pork gives you 12 percent of your daily need for vitamin D, a nutrient that helps your body use calcium in support of strong bones and teeth.

Minerals

Along with vitamins, pork contributes minerals to your diet. A 3-ounce thinly sliced chop provides almost 30 percent of the phosphorus you need each day, a mineral that works in concert with calcium to strengthen your skeletal system. It also supplies you with nearly 20 percent of your daily zinc, a nutrient that serves as a cofactor for various enzymes, and less than 10 percent of your daily need for iron, which is needed for keeping your blood and tissues well-supplied with oxygen.