How to choose the leanest cuts of meat for healthy eating
Zaak OConan

Choosing the right cuts of meat is one of the most difficult things to do when following a healthy lifestyle. Meat can be among the most calorie and fat dense foods, and it is not always easy to spot the leanest cuts of meat in the butcher’s case.

It is important, however, to choose lean cuts of meat when cooking healthy dishes. Even the lowest fat meal can be sabotaged by the addition of a high fat pork chop, roast or other cut of meat.

Of course it is still possible to include meat in a healthy diet. There are many lean cuts of meat available at the local grocery store, and meet provides much needed protein for energy and muscle development.

The key to buying the leanest cuts of meat for your healthy diet is to examine the cuts of meat carefully, and to have any additional fat trimmed. In cases where the grocery store has its own butcher, this is a relatively easy process. Most in store butchers are happy to show customers the various cuts of meat, and to trip the meat to their specification.

In the case of grocery stores where all the cuts of meat is prepackaged, choosing the leanest cuts is often more difficult. Meat is often packaged to conceal the fat, so additional trimming may need to be done once the meat is purchased.

It is important, however, to trim meat carefully, no matter where it is purchased. Trimming the extra fat off the meat you cook is very important when preparing healthy meals for yourself and your family.

Shopping for good cuts of poultry is much easier than finding the leanest cuts of meat. That is because the most common poultry products, such as chicken and turkey, are naturally low fat. There are high fat varieties of poultry, such as goose and duck, but these are not served on a regular basis in most homes.

The biggest problem poultry shoppers face is the calories and fat added by chicken and turkey skin. Most grocery stores sell skinless varieties of chicken breast, and these can be a great time saver. If the skinless varieties are a lot more expensive, however, it may be more cost effective to buy the cheaper cuts and remove the skin yourself.

Like poultry, most varieties of seafood are naturally low in fat. Salmon is probably the best known exception to this rule; salmon is fatty for fish, but still much leaner than many cuts of meat. Most varieties of fish, however, are naturally lean and very healthy.

As a matter of fact, those striving to follow a healthy diet should try to add more fish and seafood to their diet. Fish is very high in protein, and low in fat and relatively low in calories. This is a valuable combination for any one food.

As with many aspects of smart food shopping, when it comes to meat, poultry and seafood, fresher is better. There are a number of prepackaged, ready to heat and eat, varieties of meat, seafood and chicken at the local grocery store. While these products can be fine for an occasional quick meal or snack, they should not form the basis of a healthy diet.

The reason for this is simple. Processing meats, seafood and poultry often involves the use of unhealthy additives such as preservatives and sodium. Check the sodium level of any processed meat products you buy, and use such products only occasionally.

While buying fresh meat, seafood and poultry products is best, it is important to handle such foods properly on their journey from the grocery store to the dinner table. Improper food handling is responsible for the vast majority of food borne illness in the United States, and it is important to handle any raw meat, seafood or poultry product carefully.

Probably the most important part of food handling safety is making sure that foods that are not cooked, such as salads and breads, do not come into contact with raw meat, poultry or seafood. Most food borne pathogens are killed during the cooking process, but they can easily spread to salads and other uncooked foods if care is not used.

That means scrubbing counter tops carefully with an antibacterial product, using separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables, and of course washing your hands thoroughly after handling meat, poultry or seafood products.
About the Author

Zaak O’Conan discovers and presents useful information on how to enhance and/or repair your life, body and relationships. You’ll find his other articles on eating better and other ways how to improve your life at http://your-health-center.com

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Food that&#39s good for a healthy heart
Nitin Jain

Here’s a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation.

The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons – http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/nutrients.htm In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:

1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.

2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.

3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.

4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fibre which helps sweep away cholesterol from the arteries.

5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.

6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body.

Get helpful information on vitamins, amino acids, herbs, minerals and other nutrients for a healthier life – http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/.

If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website

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With cardiovascular diseases and pudginess rates soaring in the US and the industrialized world, man teenagers and adults are slowly turning to vegetarian diets as a major step towards achieving a healthy lifestyle. Diverse most of us who regularly munch on meat and dairy products, vegetarians dont have to worry about high cholesterol levels or tans – fat filled food items. Vegetarians however, need to ensure that they get the right amount of nutrition from their vegan diets, to maintain spanking health. With worldly-wise planning and consideration, a vegetarian diet can certainly be tasty and satisfying.

With No Established Vegetarian Diets, The Choice Is Outright Up To You

Most nutrition experts agree that with thereupon many vegetarian diets, there is actually no established vegan diet, and so the choice bequeath be all up to you. The problem with some vegetarians is that the more restricting their veggie diet becomes, the harder it entrust be for them to meet their bodys daily nutritional requirements. According to nutrition experts, the most commonly deficient nutrients among vegetarians include protein, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and zinc.

Soy protein can be a great protein source for vegetarians. To combine more soy to your daily diet, you may prepare soy chicken patties, soy hamburgers or soy cold cuts. The richest sources of iron are animal product like eggs, liver and red meat. Vegetarians can actually get iron from dried beans, dark green vegetables akin spinach, kale and dried fruit.

Three Elder Vegetarian Diet Types

Vegetarian diets are generally divided into three major categories, and these are:

Vegan Diets: This diet does not receive fish, eggs, meat, poultry and dairy products.

Lacto – Vegetarian Diets: A lacto – vegetarian diet does not include meat, fish, poultry and eggs. However, it includes dairy products matching cheese, yogurt, butter and milk.

Lacto – Ovo Vegetarian Diet: This vegetarian diet does not include fish, poultry and support, but includes eggs and dairy products like milk, cheese, butter and others.

While a vegetarian diet may not have detail opposite attributes, a vegetarian advocate should ensure that he or she is able to cover all nutritional requirements. It is therefore crucial for vegetarians to take vitamin and mineral supplements, which contain 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance, to complement the vegetarian meal plan. True – blooded vegetarians should focus their sights on getting adequate proteins and essential minerals double vitamin B12, calcium and iron.

Regardless of whether you proceed from a vegetarian diet for ethical, cultural or religious reasons, or you simply want to live a healthy and well – rounded life, the key to having a successful vegetarian diet lies in how aware are you of your nutritional needs. Therefore, you need to plan a diet that meets them. For creating the well-timed vegetarian diet, talk to your registered dietitian or doctor.

24 Hour Fitness
http://www.www.24-hr-fitness.com

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Variety – your key to a healthy diet
Tony Robinson

It has been said that variety is the spice of life, and that is
certainly true when trying to eat a healthy diet. No one likes
to eat the same thing day after day, and boredom is the enemy of
a healthy diet.

Fortunately for those trying to follow a healthy diet, there is
plenty of variety to be had in healthy foods. In addition to the
hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables available at the
average grocery store, there is a wide variety of beans,
lentils, nuts, meat, dairy products, fish and poultry. There is
no need for boredom to set in when pursuing a healthier
lifestyle.’

The key to enjoying a variety of foods while eating healthy is
to plan meals carefully and be sure to use the many varieties of
foods that are available. Using a combination of fresh fruit,
vegetables, meats and whole grains, it is possible to create a
fresh, exciting and healthful meal every day of the week.

Nutritionists often stress the importance of a varied diet, both
for nutritional and psychological reasons. A varied diet is
essential for good health, since different types of foods
contain different types of nutrients. And following a varied
diet is important to your psychological well being as well,
since feeling deprived of your favorite foods can lead you to
give up your healthy lifestyle.

It is much better to continue eating the foods you like, but to
eat them in moderation. Instead of giving up that juicy bacon,
for instance, have it as an occasional treat, perhaps pairing it
with an egg white omelet instead of a plateful of scrambled
eggs. As with everything else in life, good nutrition is a
tradeoff.

It is important for everyone to eat foods from the five major
food groups each and every day. The five food groups identified
by the USDA include grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy
and meat and beans. Each of these food groups contains specific
nutrients, so it is important to eat a combination of these
foods to ensure proper levels of nutrition.

Of course simply choosing foods from the five food groups is not
enough. After all a meal from the five food groups could include
cake, candied yams, avocados, ice cream and bacon. Although all
five food groups are represented, no one would try to argue that
this is a healthy day’s menu. Choosing the best foods from
within each group, and eating the less healthy foods in
moderation, is the best way to ensure a healthy and varied diet.

For instance, choosing healthy, lean meats is a great way to get
the protein you need without consuming unnecessary fat and
calories. And removing fat and skin from chicken is a great way
to eliminate extra fat and calories.

When choosing breads and cereals, it is usually best to choose
those that carry the whole grain designation. Whole grains,
those that have not been overly refined, contain greater
nutritional qualities and fewer sugars.

In addition, many grains and cereals are fortified with
additional vitamins and minerals. While this vitamin
fortification is important, it should be seen as a bonus, not as
a substitute for a proper diet. Many foods are supplemented with
important nutrients such as calcium (essential for strong bones
and teeth) and folic acid (important in preventing birth
defects).

Substituting healthier foods for less healthy ones is a
cornerstone of a healthy diet. For instance, substituting lean
cuts of meat for fattier ones, and substituting skinless chicken
or turkey breast for less healthy drumsticks, is a great way to
maximize nutrition without sacrificing good taste.

No matter what your reason for following a healthy diet, or what
your ultimate fitness goals may be, you will find that a good
understanding of nutrition will form the basis of your healthy
diet. Understanding how the various food groups work together to
form a healthy diet will go a long way toward helping you meet
your ultimate fitness goals. Whether your goal is to run a
marathon, lose ten pounds or just feel better, knowledge is
power, and nutritional knowledge will power your diet for the
rest of your life.

About the author:

Tony Robinson is a Company CEO, webmaster husband and dad. In
his busy lifestyle he has placed importance on health and
fitness. Visit http://www.eat-healthily.com for good eating tips
and techniques to assist you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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