Do You know how to choose the best meat for healthy eating?
Zaak OConan

Choosing the right meat and poultry products can be one of the most difficult parts of cooking and eating for better health. Meat, seafood and poultry are important sources of protein, iron, vitamins and minerals, but they are often laden with undesirable qualities such as saturated fat and cholesterol as well. Choosing the best, leanest cuts of meat is important to any health conscious shopper.

One of the most important things to know when choosing meat, seafood and poultry products is that less is often more. That means buying meat, seafood and poultry products that have been processed as little as possible. The past few years have seen quite a jump in the number of convenience foods, but these foods are often much less healthy than their fresh meat counterparts.

One reason why this is so is the need preservatives, sodium and other additives. Foods that are frozen, microwavable or ready to eat often contain large amounts of sodium, often more than you need in several days. While it is fine to keep a couple of these convenient foods on hand for quick meals, they cannot form the basis of a healthy eating lifestyle.

Fresh meat, seafood and poultry, on the other hand, does not suffer from the need to add sodium or preservatives. Buying fresh meats and seafood, and preparing it yourself, is the best way to have confidence in the nutritional quality of the food you feed your family.

Of course no discussion of fresh meat is complete without a note or two about safe handling techniques. Food borne illnesses can easily be spread through contaminated meat, poultry and seafood, and it is impossible to tell from looking if the product is contaminated. Since cooking to the proper temperature destroys these food borne pathogens, the most important thing is to keep raw meat and poultry away from foods that will not be cooked.

That means keeping things like salad bowls and bread plates well away from the area of the countertop where the meat is prepared. Any surface touched by raw meat, seafood or poultry should be thoroughly cleaned with an antibacterial solution, and separate cutting boards should be used for vegetables and meats. Following these basic food hygiene practices is the best way to protect yourself and your family from food borne illnesses.

Cutting the fat is also an important consideration when it comes to choosing meat, seafood and poultry. While most types of fish are healthy and low fat, some fish, such as salmon, can have significant fat content. Again, the nutritional labels should be your guide.

When it comes to chicken, the best course of action is to buy skinless, boneless chicken breasts. This type of poultry is healthy, convenient and easy to use. And best of all, skinless, boneless chicken breasts are often on sale, so stock up on them when your local grocery store runs its next promotion. A good alternative for those with the time is to buy regular chicken breasts and remove the skin and bone yourself. This is often a less expensive alternative than buying the boneless, skinless chicken breast.

Ground turkey can be an excellent and lower fat alternative to ground beef, but again it is important to read the label carefully. That is because ground turkey, particularly the less expensive brands, often contain skin and fat along with the lean meat. Ground turkey breast, or a brand with a lower fat content, can be a healthier alternative. Ground turkey breast can be used in any recipe that calls for ground beef, including burritos, barbecue, tacos, chili and even hamburgers on the grill.

And of course, eating healthy does not mean giving up delicious foods like beef and pork. Lean cuts of beef and pork can be an important part of a healthy diet. Beef and pork are both excellent sources of iron, zinc and B complex vitamins, and properly prepared, lean beef and pork are nutritious as well as delicious.

And finally, there are a number of lower fat, healthier alternatives to beef and pork. Meats like buffalo, venison and emu are much lower in fat than beef, while providing the same or even higher levels of protein. The downside of these exotic meats, of course, is the price, but if you can find a local supply at a good price they are definitely worth a look.
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

Tags: antibacterial solution, Author, basic food hygiene practices, Best Meat, Better Health, Bread Plates, Conscious Shopper, Convenience Foods, Cuts Of Meat, Food Borne Illnesses, food;, Fresh Meat, meat, Meat And Poultry, Meat Poultry, Nutritional Quality, Poultry, Poultry Products, Proper Temperature, Quick Meals, Raw Meat, Salad Bowls, Saturated Fat, seafood, Sources Of Protein, Undesirable Qualities, Vitamins And Minerals —

If you have been told by your doctor that you are obese, you really need to choose to lose some weight to avoid some unsmiling health issues. In the American population today, 1 out of 3 people are considered obese. A group of the obesity is caused by the American sort in obscure. In just recent years we have developed a fast paced world. full of fast food and quick meals.

These meal are not good fat burners, so our bodies food the fat till later. This is what causes the obesity. There are ways that you can lose the weight; if you are keen to give it a dab. Here are blameless a few tips that you can use to lose your weight.

* Eating small meals 6 times a day is a great way for anyone to begin their weight loss program. This will help you increase your metabolism and keep your hunger cravings away. It will and provide you with plenty of energy.

* Eating a lot of greens and vegetables are another great way for you to lose weight. You should put these in place of that junk food. When you feel like snacking train yourself to grab extensive identical a carrot or celery instead of those potato chips; you have up in your cupboards. The processed foods are always full of calories so when you are replacing them with fresh fruit and vegetables. These are also titanic for your skin. Also eating fresh fruits and vegetables will help reduce your blood stress, reduce your risk of heart disease, and cancer among others.

* Lemon juice is another thing that may help even though its a little drastic. Lemon juice has been proven to reduce your cravings. If you drink 2 glasses you will not feel hungry at all throughout the day

* You need to also be sure to drink plenty of water. The water will help regulate your body temperature. Your body also demands the water for overall health.

* Also eating a healthy and balanced diet is extremely important. This is especially true when it comes to breakfast. By no means should you skip your breakfast.

* Next you will want to up thrust your metabolism rate. You achieve this by doing undoubted exercise. When you are bag out you are burning necessary fat and calories that will aide you in your weight loss goals.

These are all important tips for you to follow when you are obese. A good thing to note though, that even if you are not obese, these tips will be helpful for you to lose weight as well. When you are obese your risk of developing major and life threatning illness, is extremely high. Losing weight is a immense way to reduce your risks.

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

Tags: aide, American Population, bodies food, Body Temperature, cancer;, Celery, Cupboards, Dab, energy;, Fast Paced World, food;, Fresh Fruit And Vegetables, Fresh Fruits And Vegetables, Fruit And Vegetables, Fruits And Vegetables, Good Fat Burners, Health Issues, Healthy And Balanced Diet, heart disease;, illness, Junk food;, Lemon Juice, obesity;, Potato Chips, Processed Foods, Quick Meals, Risk Of Heart Disease —