By Brandi Goodman
January is deemed National Meat Month. Ham is a popular choice of meat but not all cuts are the healthiest options. You can make it healthier to consume by changing up the recipe. There are lots of other meat choices you can eat as well provided you switch up the way you make them.
Avoid Adding Salt
One of the main problems with meat is that it's full of sodium. Combat this problem by avoiding adding any salt to it or the rest of your meal. Added salt only increases your sodium intake. It can be harmful to your heart.
Choose Uncured Options
Lots of ham choices exist at the store. You'll find glazed honey hams, brown sugar cured hams, and other options that are loaded with salt and sugar. Choose uncured options instead. These are usually marked as fresh and are more organic choices that you can season later as you desire. This ensures a healthier meat offering that isn't already full of unhealthy ingredients.
Find Healthy Recipes
Lots of healthy ham recipes exist, as do other meals with different meat choices. Find healthy recipes like this to add to your regular menu so you can get your meat in a nutritious way. Green eggs and ham breakfast burritos are one option. Eggs, ham, cheese, and avocado pack a lot of protein, vitamins, and nutrients inside a whole grain tortilla.
Turkey and chicken are two other ideal meats to enjoy. They offer lots of protein yet are leaner in fat than most meats. Make a long slice along the side of a thick chicken breast and you can stuff it with veggies and cheese for a nutritious dish. It's always best to bake your chicken rather than frying it to avoid some of the fat and calories.
You can roast a whole turkey for another healthy entree. Instead of using dressing to stuff it, use vegetables instead. You can surround the bird with veggies as well so you have a fully cooked side dish to consume along with it.
Ham and other meat choices provide lots of protein which is beneficial for health. You just have to be careful what you're adding to the meal and how you're making it to be sure it's as healthy as possible. You want to gain the benefits from the food you're eating and not bring on extra health concerns for yourself.
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