| Choosing the right cuts of meat is one of the | | | | Like poultry, most varieties of seafood are |
| most difficult things to do when trying to eat | | | | naturally low in fat. Salmon is probably the best |
| healthier. Meat can be among the most calorie and | | | | known exception to this rule; salmon is a fatty |
| fat dense foods, and it's not always easy to spot | | | | fish as are a few others, when in doubt ask the |
| the leanest cuts of meat in the butcher's case. It's | | | | person behind the seafood counter or check it |
| important however, to choose lean cuts of meat | | | | out online before you purchase it. Most varieties |
| when cooking healthy dishes. Even the lowest fat | | | | of fish however, are naturally lean and very |
| meal can be sabotaged by the addition of a high | | | | healthy. As a matter of fact, those striving to |
| fat pork chop, roast or other cut of meat. Of | | | | follow a healthy diet should try to add more fish |
| course it's still possible to include meat in a healthy | | | | and seafood to their diet. Fish is very high in |
| diet. There are many lean cuts of meat available | | | | protein, low in fat and relatively low in calories. |
| at the local grocery store, and meet provides | | | | This is a valuable combination for any one food. |
| much needed protein for energy and muscle | | | | As with many aspects of smart food shopping, |
| development. | | | | when it comes to meat, poultry and seafood, the |
| The key to buying the leanest cuts of meat for | | | | fresher the better. There are a number of |
| your healthy diet is to examine the cuts of meat | | | | prepackaged, ready to heat and eat varieties of |
| carefully, and to have any additional fat trimmed. | | | | meat, seafood and chicken at the local grocery |
| In cases where the grocery store has its own | | | | store. While these products can be fine for an |
| butcher, this is a relatively easy process. Most in | | | | occasional quick meal or snack, they shouldn't |
| store butchers are happy to show customers the | | | | form the basis of a healthy diet. Remember, |
| various cuts of meat, and to trim the meat to | | | | prepackaged foods are usually high in sodium and |
| their specification. In the case of grocery stores | | | | contain preservatives, so check your labels before |
| where all the cuts of meat are prepackaged, | | | | purchasing anything prepackaged. |
| choosing the leanest cuts are often more difficult. | | | | While buying fresh meat, seafood and poultry |
| Meat is often packaged to conceal the fat, so | | | | products is best, it's important to handle such |
| additional trimming may need to be done once the | | | | foods properly on their journey from the grocery |
| meat is purchased. | | | | store to the dinner table. Improper food handling |
| Trimming the extra fat off the meat you cook is | | | | is responsible for the vast majority of food borne |
| very important when preparing healthy meals for | | | | illness in the United States such as salmonella and |
| yourself and your family. Shopping for good cuts | | | | e-coli, so it's important to handle any raw meat, |
| of poultry is much easier than finding the leanest | | | | seafood or poultry product carefully. |
| cuts of meat. That's because the most common | | | | Probably the most important part of food handling |
| poultry products such as chicken and turkey, are | | | | safety is making sure that foods that are not |
| naturally low fat. There are high fat varieties of | | | | cooked, such as salads and breads, don't come |
| poultry such as goose and duck, but these aren't | | | | into contact with raw meat, poultry or seafood. |
| served on a regular basis in most homes. | | | | Most food borne pathogens are killed during the |
| The biggest problem poultry shoppers face is the | | | | cooking process, but they can easily spread to |
| calories and fat added by chicken and turkey skin. | | | | salads and other uncooked foods if care isn't used. |
| Most grocery stores sell skinless varieties of | | | | That means scrubbing counter tops carefully with |
| chicken breast, and these can be a great time | | | | an antibacterial product, using separate cutting |
| saver. If the skinless varieties are a lot more | | | | boards for meats and vegetables, and of course |
| expensive however, it may be more cost | | | | washing your hands thoroughly after handling |
| effective to buy the cheaper cuts and remove | | | | meat, poultry or seafood products. |
| the skin yourself. | | | | |