By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
When creating a healthy diet, it’s important to include a balance of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, as each one gives your body the necessary nutrients it needs to be fueled for the day. While they are all beneficial and important, protein is extra important, as it is the one that helps your body cells to grow and repair themselves. Certain proteins, such as animal proteins, offer many more health benefits than plant-based proteins.
According to registered dietician Amy Goodson, it’s vital to choose a high-quality protein source. She defines this as a protein that contain all 9 of the essential amino acids, including histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine, all of which our bodies don’t produce on their own and must be gotten from food. Animal proteins are a sure source of all 9 of these essential amino acids, whereas most plant proteins don’t offer them.
Goodson offers the following tips for meat-lovers in terms of healthfully selecting and preparing your meats!
- Choose lean meats – Both lean cuts, and lean ground meats.
- Trim excess fat – Fat does add some flavor, but not all of it is necessary!
- Use lean cooking methods – Grilling, baking, roasting, or broiling are all good, oil-free options!
- Watch your portion size – Its possible to have too much of a good thing. The USDA Dietary Guidelines suggests 5.5 ounces of protein per day in a healthy diet.
Arizona farmers and ranchers produce lots of locally raised meats! You can find chicken, pork, beef, lamb, goat, and more all raised right here in our home state! The Fill Your Plate website has lots of resources you can use to find where you can purchase some of these animal proteins! Special note: We just updated the “beef” section in the search option under “Farm” products.