Over the years we have learned that consuming protein leads to a well balanced diet and a healthier lifestyle. There are very few elements of any diet that will keep you fuller for longer than protein and it’s the basic building block for your body – body builders thrive on protein because it’s the quickest way to turn whatever you eat into muscle mass.
A great source of protein is meat and fish. Although meat has gotten a bad rap in the last ten years, it can be a healthy part of your diet. However, one must be careful when buying these sources that are packed with protein.
Try not to buy pre-packaged meat from a supermarket. Some supermarkets have higher standards than others but that super cheap steak, beef and chicken on those shelves…well…it’s super-cheap for a reason. Usually the meat has come from a source that you really don’t want to know too much about and/or it’s been treated with additives to swell the meat up. One of the oldest tricks in the book is to soak the meat in water so it absorbs it and swells.  This makes the meat look larger and better! When you cook it you’ll notice you have a puddle of water and about half the meat you expected to eat – especially with chicken and beef.
Look for organic, grass fed beef that hasn’t been treated with hormones and antibiotics. If your supermarket has a fresh meat counter then buy your meat there. At least you’ll see exactly what you’re getting and you can also benefit from the butcher’s advice on the best cuts of meat. The exact same process applies to fish and it is helpful seeing the fish itself being prepared in front of you before you buy it.
When it comes to buying meat, look for the leanest cuts possible and ask for any fat to be trimmed off. Fat does add to the flavor of the meat when you’re cooking it but it also adds to the size of your waistline when you eat too much of it. A good butcher will be more than happy to provide you with lean cuts with little or no fat attached to the meat.
Also, look at cutting down on the amount of red meat that you eat.  Red meat is fine in moderation but your body struggles to digest large amounts of it. Some of it is never digested properly and actually stays in your digestive tract forever (several pounds in the average adult male). There are alternatives to burgers made with red meat. Turkey burgers or even tuna burgers can act as great protein sources? Ground turkey or flaked tuna make delicious burgers and you can save money over what conventional packaged burgers cost and get all the health benefits too. It takes about 5 minutes to prepare the burgers themselves.
And lastly when you’re preparing the meat for cooking make sure the work surface and your hands are clean. Even the best cuts of raw meat can carry small amounts of bacteria that can spread to other surfaces or people if not properly cleaned.
Meat and fish can be a great source of protein in your diet. Just make sure you take precautions and buy smart! Buy organic and support your local growers and farmers!
– Linda Ingham
As a mother of five, licensed attorney and fitness nut, Linda Ingham enjoys writing about many subjects, including law, gardening, health and fitness, child rearing and travel. Check out her articles at www.pathacross.com
