Is Wagyu Beef Healthy? (Plus Weight Loss Tips!)

Wagyu beef is a protein that was first discovered in Japanese Wagyu cows. Since then, it’s grown exponentially in popularity and is known as being incredibly delicious. You might be wondering if Wagyu beef is healthy too, and we’ve done some research to help you decide if Wagyu beef is a healthy choice for you.

Wagyu beef is healthy in moderation. It is high in healthy fats, like Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids and lower in cholesterol. However, Wagyu beef does contain saturated fat so it should be consumed in moderation. It’s important to note that not all Wagyu is produced with the same high quality. Always choose grass-fed Wagyu beef where available.

Keep reading to see the benefits and drawbacks of Wagyu, how it compares to other proteins, and a great recipe to get you started.

Is Wagyu Beef Good for Weight Loss?

If you are on a weight loss journey, Wagyu beef is a great way to increase your protein intake, without compromising any flavor. 

Wagyu beef contains healthy fats that are less likely to be found in other beef or meat types. If you normally eat a lot of fatty red meats, like ribeye or lamb, replacing some of those meals with Wagyu will help you to eat healthier fats that can contribute to weight loss.

Wagyu is a great alternative to other meats, but it is still high in unsaturated fat, which means that you must consume it conscientiously.

When you decide to eat Wagyu beef, it can aid in your weight loss efforts so long as you eat only one serving (3 ounces) at a time and engage in other healthy habits and activities. 

If you are choosing to add Wagyu beef to your diet, it’s a great idea to also get a healthy amount of exercise either through cardio or weightlifting.

High carb intake is also linked to weight gain and weight retention, so consider limiting your carbs and adding in more vegetables. With the right planning, you can keep eating wagyu beef and still lose weight.

Is Wagyu Beef Healthy?

Wagyu beef is not only one of the most delicious meats in the world, but it also has some great benefits. Every food has drawbacks, however, so we’ll go over a few of those too. 

Nutrition Facts (based on one 3 oz serving):

• 242 calories
• 21.3 grams of total fat, 6.8 grams of which is saturated fat
• 60.4 mg of cholesterol and 45.9 mg of sodium
• 0 carbs and 13.7 grams of protein

For vitamins, Wagyu contains 6% of your daily value of iron. It’s also a great source of omega-6 fatty acids (also called Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA). Some limited studies suggest omega-6 fatty acids can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cancer. It also has oleic acid which is considered good for your heart.

However, Wagyu beef does still contain a fair amount of saturated fat, which, if eaten too frequently, could raise your cholesterol.

Is Wagyu Beef Lean?

Wagyu beef contains a good dose of healthy fats and tastes decadent. It isn’t considered lean meat, but it is leaner than some other types of beef. Specifically, Wagyu is leaner than filet mignon, New York Strip, and skirt steak.

With that being said, it is not necessarily leaner than meats like Chicken. It is probably most comparable to Salmon.

While eating lean meat is always a good choice, it’s important to make sure that the meats you decide to eat have healthy fats. Wagyu, when made from healthy cows, has very healthy fats and is thus a great choice.

Is Wagyu Beef High in Cholesterol? 

Most of the fat that comes from Wagyu beef is unsaturated fat, which means that it is low in cholesterol. As with most protein, it does have some saturated fat which could raise your cholesterol If you eat it too frequently.

For those looking to eat low cholesterol foods, Wagyu is a great choice. It has the lowest cholesterol of all meats, including even fish and chicken.

If you need to watch your cholesterol intake but still want to enjoy fine meat, Wagyu is a great option.

Is Wagyu Better than Normal Beef? 

As far as health and taste go, Wagyu beef leads the way in comparison to other beef types. However, it is important to note that as Wagyu has grown in popularity, the standards for how the cows should be kept have changed. Not all Wagyu beef is equal, as some Wagyu cows are fed additional grain to increase their fat.

Wagyu contains a high percentage of omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats that can reduce your risk of disease and lower your cholesterol.

Other beef types tend to be higher in saturated fat, which is linked to higher cholesterol.

Beef, in general, shouldn’t be eaten daily, but Wagyu will always be a better choice than normal beef health-wise.

Wagyu can be a very expensive meal, however, so you may decide to eat it and normal beef at different times.

Is Wagyu Beef Healthier than Grass Fed Beef?

There is a bit of debate about whether or not Wagyu beef is truly healthier than grass-fed beef.

Ideally, you would want to have grass-fed Wagyu beef, as it helps ensure that the cow was in good health. Now that Wagyu has grown in popularity, some farms try to fatten the cows up more by feeding them a grain and grass diet.

Conversely, grass-fed beef, even if not Wagyu, is a great option for your health. Grass-fed beef is very nutrient-dense and has anti-inflammatory compounds. Grain-fed beef also tends to have residual pesticides. If you are wanting to look out for the environment, then grass-fed also tends to be more environmentally sustainable.

When opting for Wagyu beef, you should try to determine if it was grass-fed. If it was, then it’s a great and decadent option. If not, however, you may be better off sticking with grass-fed.

Is Wagyu Beef Healthier than Fish?

When weighing the best proteins to add to your meal, you might be torn between Wagyu and other fish options. Some popular fish choices are Salmon, Flounder, and Halibut. We’ve broken down all the pros and cons of each option.

As you can see, every option has its benefits and disadvantages.

Fish tends to be higher in vitamins and lower calories, but Wagyu is much higher in healthy fats and fatty acids.

Having a balanced diet of varied proteins is the best way to make sure you get all of your nutrients in. 

Is Wagyu Beef Worth It? 

Wagyu beef can be a great addition to your diet to get in additional healthy fats. Wagyu beef can also be healthier than a lot of other options, but not all Wagyu beef is the same.

If you decide you want to eat Wagyu, consider only having it occasionally and sourcing it from farms that choose to grass-feed their cows. If you aren’t able to find Wagyu beef farms that do this, you are better off sticking with grass-fed beef or other protein options.

Wagyu is also notoriously expensive, so you may want to only indulge in it occasionally.

When you do choose to eat it, your body will thank you because of the healthy fats that help prevent disease and cancer.

Is Wagyu Beef Good for Burgers?

Wagyu beef is a delicious option for your burgers. It is known to make some of the most delicious burgers ever. This is because Wagyu has a high-fat content that makes it an especially rich burger.

When cooking a Wagyu beef burger, you’ll want to be mindful of not overcooking it. The high-fat content means that it will cook faster than other traditional beef patties.

You’ll also want to avoid putting condiments on your Wagyu burger, which may distract you from its natural richness.

How to Cook Wagyu Beef

Cooking Wagyu beef is surprisingly simple, but you’ll still want to take your time with it to ensure that you get the most out of such a high-quality piece of meat. Follow these simple instructions to get the most out of your Wagyu.

1. Salt your Wagyu steak about 36 hours before you plan to cook it. Make sure to thoroughly coat it. Wrap it back in parchment and place it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
2. Bring your Wagyu to room temperature and pat it dry.
3. Slice your meat against the grain into strips.
4. Place the strips on the pan to sear. Sear for one minute before searing the other side.
5. Meat should be at 120-130 degrees for rare, and 140-150 degrees for medium.
6. Let the meat rest for 3-4 minutes.

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