How to Recognize Good Pork Chops

With better feeding practices and the efforts of pork producers, pork is a much healthier meat than it once was. Improved genetics and better processing have also helped to decrease the amount of fat grams in pork. As a result, 3 ounces of broiled pork loin contain only about 4 grams of fat.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look for cuts that have very little fat on the edges. Pork has really slimmed down over the years. Because of better breeding techniques concerning hogs, the fat is not as abundant on the animals as it used to be. Butchers also pay more careful attention to the trimming of the meat. They usually trim the fat much closer now, making pork 31 percent leaner than it once was.

2. Look for bones when you shop for pork chops. The best cuts of pork chops are often the center cut, boneless portions. Recognize good pork chops when you don't see any bone.

3. Read the labels on the cuts of pork chops in order to recognize not only good-tasting pork chops, but the healthiest cuts of pork chops as well. Because pork is now a leaner meat than it once was, it can be 17 percent lower in calories. Since it's now leaner, pork is also lower in cholesterol than it once was. Look for the labels that have the word "loin" in them. Tenderloin, loin pork chops or sirloin pork chops are all the leanest cuts.

4. Eye the passing plates in restaurants that offer pork chops on the menu. Recognize good pork chops when they look thick and juicy on the serving plate.

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