No, chicken thigh is not red meat.
Understanding Meat Classification
The classification of meat as "red" or "white" depends primarily on the myoglobin content. Myoglobin is a protein that stores oxygen in muscle tissue. Red meat, like beef, lamb, and pork, has a higher myoglobin concentration, giving it its characteristic red color. White meat, such as chicken breast, has lower myoglobin levels.
Chicken Thighs: Dark Meat
The provided reference explicitly states: "White meat is defined as non-dark meat from fish or chicken (excluding the leg or thigh, which is called dark meat)." Chicken thighs are classified as dark meat due to their higher myoglobin content compared to chicken breast. While darker than white meat, it's crucial to understand that this doesn't automatically equate to "red meat". The term "red meat" typically refers to mammals.
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Key Difference: The difference in color between chicken breast (white meat) and chicken thigh (dark meat) stems from variations in myoglobin levels and muscle fiber type. Chicken thighs have more myoglobin because they are used more for locomotion and thus require more oxygen storage.
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Nutritional Implications: The higher myoglobin content in chicken thighs also influences their nutritional profile, with potentially slightly higher iron content than chicken breast.
Therefore, despite its darker color, chicken thigh is not classified as red meat.
