How can animal offal be prepared to be both nutritious and safe?

Introduction: The Chinese custom of eating animal offal has a long history. However, while enjoying the delicious taste, many people are also concerned about its nutritional and safety issues. Therefore, it is particularly important to control the frequency and total amount when consuming it. What specific precautions should people with diabetes or high cholesterol take when eating animal offal?

The Chinese custom of eating animal offal has a long history. Traditional famous dishes that are popular with everyone, such as stir-fried pork liver, quick-fried pork kidneys, dry pot pork intestines, and Mao Xue Wang, are all made with animal offal as the main ingredient. Some people believe that eating offal is only for satisfying the palate and has no nutritional value. In fact, this is not the case. Xiong Miao, a national public nutritionist, pointed out that compared to animal meat, most offal contains richer protein, vitamins A and B, and minerals such as iron, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients are often lacking in the traditional Chinese diet, so some people advocate eating animal offal to supplement them. The liver, in particular, is the most concentrated place for nutrients in an animal's body, rich in protein and animal-based iron.

Stir-fried Pork Intestines with Hot Peppers

However, it is an indisputable fact that animal offal is high in cholesterol. Zhu Yi, an associate professor at the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering at China Agricultural University, told a reporter from the Life Times newspaper that most animal offals have a relatively high cholesterol content, especially pork liver and pork brain. 100 grams of pork liver contains 288 milligrams of cholesterol, which is 3.5 times that of lean pork; 100 grams of pork brain contains about 2571 milligrams of cholesterol, equivalent to 25 portions of lard (100 grams of lard contains 100 milligrams of cholesterol). Excess cholesterol in food can easily lead to high blood lipids, high blood pressure, and induce or aggravate diseases such as atherosclerosis. From a safety perspective, the liver is a metabolic organ, and the kidneys are an excretory organ. Pollutants that enter the animal's body through feed and water, such as heavy metals and illegal additives like clenbuterol, tend to accumulate in these two organs. "Especially clenbuterol, which accumulates more in the liver," Zhu said. In comparison, the risk of eating animal hearts is lower. Their fat and cholesterol content are similar to lean meat, and they are rich in heme iron and protein with less pollution.

Pork Liver and Potato Slices

Zhu Yi pointed out that for offal like liver and tripe, it is important to control the frequency and total amount of consumption—once or twice a month, and no more than 30-50 grams each time. People with diabetes and high cholesterol should eat less. Before cooking, it must be thoroughly washed, and all glands on the offal must be removed, especially for parts like lungs, tripe, and intestines. When cleaning, a little vinegar or edible alkali can be added to effectively remove odors. It must be cooked thoroughly; it is best to blanch it in boiling water before stir-frying. It can be paired with high-fiber vegetables such as seaweed, celery, bean sprouts, chives, and cabbage. This can not only reduce the absorption of cholesterol but also play a role in nutritional complementarity.

Salted Duck Liver