Pro Tips: Cooking Edition

 

Filipinos love food. Filipinos love to eat meat from Adobo, Lechon Kawali, Chicken Sisig, Beef Samgyeopsal, and Pork Chicharon. Meat can be a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals in your daily diet.

According to the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the amount of protein that a Filipino over 18 must consume is only around 67–73 grams per day. Protein, primarily found in meats such as pork, beef, or chicken, is needed to grow, repair, and build body tissues and boost the immune system. Around 15 percent of a person’s body weight is also protein.

Meat as part of a balanced diet

Commonly known for its rich minerals such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B, eating meat can help your brain function, strengthen your bones, manage your blood sugar level, and maintain a healthy heart. It is also high in protein, which can also build muscles. But moderation is key with red meat.

Limiting meat consumption

Depending on the type of meat you choose the amount of saturated fat in the meat may vary. The less fat, the better when selecting the type of meat, you will eat. Reducing your consumption of processed meat products, which are high in salt and fat, can also help you live longer.

Storing and handling of meat

Improper methods of handling meat can cause cross-contamination and food poisoning if consumed. That’s why it’s so important to keep the place hygienic while preparing and storing the meat. READ: Safe Handling of Meat\

Cooking meat

Grilling the meat is better than frying, as it lessens the amount of oil. For Adobo, eating meats and roasting, baking, broiling, steaming, press cooking, and slow cooking are other healthier ways of cooking meat.

Meat should be cooked thoroughly at high temperatures to kill harmful organisms, including Salmonella, E. Coli, and other severe foodborne illnesses.

Meat type	Ideal Temperature for Cooking
Minced meat, sausages	71ºC
Ham	71ºC
Beef, goat, pork	63ºC
Chicken & turkey	74ºC
Leftovers	75ºC

 

Aside from the method of cooking meat, you can also plan how to prepare it in ways that can be both healthy and delicious. 

Meal planning can save you a lot of time preparing the food, and you can plot out the calories or nutrients of each meal you will be serving. You can try different ways to cook meat without putting too many seasonings and other heavy and savory ingredients on it.

Alternative meat options

You can also use healthier alternatives to meat as good protein sources, including tofu, beans, lentils, chickpeas, and fish. Meat substitutes like plant-based food products can be quite different from the actual taste of meat. 

 

Indeed, eating meat has both positive and negative effects, but there are ways to consume it properly without eliminating it from our daily meals or a balanced diet.

For various high-grade, safe, and premium-quality frozen goods, you can check out our website at shop.enlfood.com.

READ ALSO: bit.ly/EnL-Blogs-HealthandNutrition-IsEatingMeatGoodOrBadForYou