The Other, Other White Meat

Chicken and turkey remain staples on dinner tables nationwide, but it may be time to consider another lean option: alligator. Though it sounds unusual, alligator meat is an excellent source of lean protein. With a fine texture comparable to chicken or pork, gator contains fewer calories, less fat, and lower cholesterol than many other popular white meats.

Gator Fun Facts

The temperature of a gator egg determines the sex of the gator.

Incubation temperature plays a key role in sex determination: eggs kept below about 88°F tend to produce females, while temperatures above roughly 91°F typically yield males.

If you are being chased by an alligator, do not run in a zig-zag pattern.

Alligators are surprisingly fast. The best chance of escape is to put as much distance between you and the animal as quickly as possible—run in a straight line and move fast.

Gators can hold their breath for up to thirty minutes.

Some alligators can remain submerged for long periods by trapping air in their lungs, which can make them buoyant. They also sometimes swallow small stones, which can help them stay submerged and may assist digestion.

Body Building Blocks

Protein is a vital component of a healthy diet. It supports the building, maintenance, and repair of tissues throughout the body, including muscles and organs. Good dietary sources of protein include meats such as alligator, chicken, and fish, as well as eggs, seeds, nuts, and legumes. Proteins are constructed from smaller units called amino acids. Think of amino acids as building blocks: on their own they are simple, but when linked together they form a wide variety of proteins with different functions. During digestion, proteins are broken down into their amino acid components, which the body then reassembles into the specific proteins it needs for muscle, bone, enzymes, and other vital structures.