Whether it's beef, pork, chicken, or others, it's best to choose domestically produced meat. This is because the standards for hormones and antibiotics used abroad differ from those in the country, and the production process is less transparent. Moreover, even when choosing domestic meat, pay attention to whether it has certification marks, and it's even better if the place of origin can be traced.
Don't choose meat that is too cheap
To get quality meat, livestock should be raised in spacious areas and fed natural food. However, in today's world that prioritizes efficiency over quality, mass production cannot afford to consider other factors. The result of reducing costs and prices is a corresponding decline in quality. Although meat labeled as "natural" is often more expensive, its meat and fat are beneficial to the human body, allowing one to eat healthily.
Choose cuts with less saturated fat
Saturated fat can cause arteriosclerosis, accelerate aging, and increase the risk of dementia. For beef and pork, sirloin and leg cuts are recommended, as they contain less saturated fat. For chicken, the entire bird can be used, as it also has less saturated fat. Therefore, when buying meat, in addition to choosing the type of meat, the cut is also very important, and one must be intentional about the purchase.
Check if the meat has a bad smell
Meat from livestock raised in a natural environment does not have a bad smell; on the contrary, meat from livestock raised in concentrated grain feeding does. Of course, most people know not to buy meat if it has a bad smell, but the smell is not always easy to distinguish because the sensitivity of smell varies from person to person. Therefore, it is recommended to buy both meat labeled as naturally raised and regular meat to compare, and you will likely find it easy to tell the difference.
Eat meat in moderation
Mastering the four tips above does not mean you can eat meat as you please; moderation is still important. The "Chinese Residents' Balanced Dietary Pagoda" formulated by the Chinese Nutrition Society recommends a reasonable daily dietary plan for adults from the bottom to the top of the pagoda as follows: 300-500 grams of grains; 400-500 grams of vegetables, 100-200 grams of fruits; 50-100 grams of livestock and poultry meat, 50 grams of fish and shrimp, 25-50 grams of eggs; 100 grams of milk and dairy products, 50 grams of beans and bean products; 25 grams of oils and fats.