How to Eat Healthy and Still Eat Meat

There are a lot of options out there that offer up protein sources besides meat. Soy, tofu, legumes, fruits, vegetables and dairy products can give you all the protein you need for a healthy diet. But what if you don’t want to give up the meat you love? Just because there are other options for protein doesn’t mean that you can’t have your meat and eat it too. Here’s how to maintain a healthy diet and not give up the meat you crave.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Lean chicken breast
• Pork
• Some 93% lean beef
• Fish

1. White is right. It's not to say that dark meat doesn’t have its place on your plate, but to be truly healthy when choosing meats, go for the light or white meats first. Chicken breasts, pork and turkey are your absolute best options for lean, high-protein food.
2. No-fry zone. 'Although yummy, frying meat does nothing but add fat to a meal. The oil or butter you fry it in doesn't just add flavor, but also tons of fat calories that your heart and arteries don’t need. Bake meat or broil it. In the summer, throw it on the grill.
3. Red not white. Who doesn't love a good chicken alfredo? Unfortunately, alfredo sauce isn’t referred to as “heart attack on a plate” for nothing. This buttery cheesy sauce can kill the health benefits of any skinless, boneless chicken breast or even pork with a few tablespoons. Try a nice marinara sauce with chicken and enhance it with some fat free mozzarella.
4. Lean and mean. Do you love red meat? That’s fine as long as you keep it down to one or maybe two meals a week from the cow. Buy the leanest cut of steak you can find and if you buy hamburger, go for the 93% or higher lean meat. You can season it up the same way for meatloaf or burgers and cut out as much of the fat as possible.
5. Portion control 101. One portion of meat is about the size of a deck of playing cards. This portion provides plenty of protein for your muscles to use. Keep your portions to 1 or 1 1/2 per meal. Your plate should be half veggies, 1/4 meat and 1/4 starch to keep the right heart-healthy balance.

Tips & Warnings

• Fish is a great option for meat. Try tilapia or swordfish on the grill with lemon and butter.