Is Pork Tenderloin Better Than Chicken For Bodybuilding?

pork tenderloin
May 1, 2023 0 Comments

Table of Contents

Introduction

In this article I will be answering the question “is pork tenderloin better than chicken for bodybuilding?”. Both pork and chicken are very good sources of animal protein.

Typically, chicken is a staple in the diets of many bodybuilders. Pork can be a good alternative and can be very tasty. This article will explore whether pork tenderloin is better.

I will compare the two sources of animal protein and explore this topic in good detail.

Is Pork Tenderloin Better Than Chicken For Bodybuilding?

Overall, pork tenderloin is a viable alternative to chicken and can be better in certain areas. Pork tenderloin is very juicy and tender, many people find it to be a tastier alternative.

Secondly, pork tenderloin is as healthy as chicken if you trim the fat. It is a leaner cut of pork and only contains 3g of fat per 3 ounce cooked serving. Therefore it is healthy as well. 

If you prefer the taste of tenderloin then there is no reason why you can’t make it the primary source of animal protein in your diet.

Pork Tenderloin Is Tender And Juicy

A big positive of pork tenderloin is its taste and succulence. Eating chicken breast and chicken thighs every day can become tedious and bland.

Tenderloin is a lean cut of pork and is known for its juiciness when cooked properly. You have to be careful not to overcook it though. For a better taste you should buy higher quality pork tenderloin.

Like everything else, you get what you pay for. This is true with pork tenderloin as well. A simple pork tenderloin recipe is to slice the tenderloin and marinade the pork, then stir fry it. 

This is a very quick way of cooking pork tenderloin and incredibly convenient as well. You can cook it in bulk ahead of time and have it for multiple meals. It is certainly more interesting than chicken.
pork tenderloin

Is Pork Tenderloin As Healthy As Chicken?

Overall, pork tenderloin is as healthy as chicken. It is a lean cut of pork and has a similar amount of calories as chicken breast gram for gram.

In addition there is a very similar amount of fat in pork tenderloin and chicken. There is around 30g protein per 100g portion of chicken breast. In 100g pork tenderloin there is around 30g protein as well.

So both pork tenderloin and chicken have a similar profile. Pork tenderloin is a good source of vitamin B6 and magnesium. The tenderloin is far richer in B vitamins than chicken.

B vitamins are important for maintaining good energy levels and they may help to prevent infections. It is important to state that the method of cooking also plays a role in how healthy the meal is. Pan fried chicken breast for instance would not be too healthy!

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Cost Consideration

It is important also to take cost into account when comparing pork tenderloin and chicken. Good quality pork tenderloin is more expensive. Pork tenderloin is slightly more expensive than chicken breast on a gram for gram basis.

Chicken thighs are cheaper than chicken breast. This is why a lot of bodybuilders on a budget will opt for chicken thighs and make them a staple in their diet.

If you have a bigger budget then there isn’t really a problem to consume a decent quantity of pork tenderloin. If you prefer the taste, pork tenderloin is cheaper than buying expensive cuts of beef steak for instance.

>> Are Chicken Thighs Better Than Breasts?

Layne Norton Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Layne Norton has a very interesting pork tenderloin recipe which I will discuss now. Layne uses allegro to marinade his pork tenderloins.

He explains that this is a macro friendly marinade but is high in sodium. You can let the pork marinade for a few hours. It is up to you how long you let the meat marinade for. 

It is a simple recipe but one that is delicious. You can cook in bulk like Layne does so that you can have multiple meals ready in advance.

Final Thoughts

Is pork tenderloin better than chicken for bodybuilding? Overall, it is just as good if not better. The tenderness and juiciness after marinating pork tenderloin surpasses chicken.

It does cost slightly more than chicken breast but it is worth it. For some people on a budget, chicken thighs would be preferable to pork tenderloin.

Pork tenderloin is rich in B vitamins and has a comparable amount of fat and protein to chicken. 

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