Multicultural Must Read: Food trends

Somali: Goat meat is healthier than beef and chicken

Ottawa's daily online Somali source, Hiiraan, published an advertorial higlighting the cultural shifts influencing goat meat's rise in popularity:

You may have been eating goat roti or goat head soup your whole life, but for many, goat is still considered a “new” type of red meat. Goat meat is a staple in many cultures, including North African, Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisines, said registered dietitian Anar Allidina. “Goat meat is a healthy alternative to beef and chicken because it contains fewer calories, fat, and cholesterol,” she said. In the U.S., the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University found only 0.25 pounds of goat meat was consumed annually per capita last year. A report from 2013 found interest in goat meat in Canada continued to rise (the number of goats on farms had doubled since 1996) as new immigrants came to the country, CBC reported. Besides the taste, there are several reasons why you should consider eating goat, if you have access to it. Three ounces of goat meat have about 122 calories, 0.79 grams of saturated fat and 3.2 milligrams of iron. This is compared to 179 calories, three grams of saturated fat and 2.9 milligrams of iron in beef. “Allidina said: “Goat meat is definitely superior nutritionally.” She added goat meat is very tender and can be prepared over low heat to preserve tenderness and juiciness. The one problem you’ll find with goat meat is accessibility, she said. Because it’s not sold in major grocery chains, you’ll have to venture out to a butcher or grocery store that sells Middle Eastern, Indian or Caribbean foods. (22/11/2018)