How to Choose a Good Steak – Picking the Healthiest Cuts

The most obvious meat contributing to America’s over-consumption of fat and cholesterol is Beef. This red meat most of the time gets blamed for being an unhealthy meat for individuals. Certain cuts and in certain quantities, red meat can do real damage to your body and your waistline. Though red meat can be detrimental to your health, there are cuts that aren’t so bad. Beef like many things, eaten in moderation and in the right way, can contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

Natural cuts of beef that are cooked thoroughly are mostly natural in form when you buy them as steak or other cuts. Meats that are highly processed such as deli meats, hot dogs, bologna and bacon are much higher in saturated fat and in the long term potentially more dangerous.

Beef can be enjoyed intelligently. Picking the best cuts of beef to enjoy is important. Not all cuts are created equal, and some are leaner that others. The most lean cuts are typically found in the leg of the animal.

The system in place used to grade beef puts it into one of three categories. Prime..Choice..or Select. Select is the most lean of these grades.

Livestrong.com says that the Round cuts of beef are the best when considering a sound and sensible diet. These cuts are lower in calories. Also when you purchase these cuts from the supermarket, they are usually stripped of the fat before they are packaged. One 4 oz eye of round steak has just over 140 calories and 4 fat grams. Many popular healthy dishes that contain beef usually contain a round cut of beef.

Another cut to consider is flank steak. These cuts typically contain just over 180 calories and about 8 fat grams per serving. Try and go for the select or choice cut to avoid the extra fat.

Loin cuts are also great in terms of leanness. Tenderloin, Top loin, sirloin are all good cuts. Try and cook these cuts using a dry heat, and it’s better served immediately after it’s ready. Sirloin is also now being ground, providing you with a healthier alternative when making hand made burgers. It is also a better choice for dishes that require ground beef such as Hamburger Helper.

Sizes and thickness will vary from store to store, it is always best to select the cut that shows the least amount of fat that you can see on it. Larger cuts will naturally hold more moisture and will require thorough cooking, so be careful if you plan on grilling or broiling them. Always check the labels, and the expiration date. America loves Beef. Beef can be enjoyed by you and your body, by being smart about the cuts you choose.

; Healthiest cuts of beef ,Livestrong.com