Muscle foods (meat and meat products) are major contributors to the nutrients in the food supply. They are excellent examples of naturally nutrient-dense foods that provide a relatively large amount of many nutrients per number of calories provided in a typical serving. Most essential nutrients are present in muscle foods at some level and these foods provide the nutrients in a form that often enhances the bioavailability of nutrients from both the meat itself and from other dietary sources. Extensive databases are available which document the nutrient content of beef, pork, lamb, veal, poultry and processed meat products.