4 Ways to Make Heart-Healthy Meat Choices

1. Buy the Right Meat

Meat gets a bad reputation when it comes to heart disease, but not all meat is created equal. If you're concerned about your cholesterol levels and your risk for heart disease, it's not necessary to give up meat completely. You can still enjoy a variety of meats, but you'll need to change the way you shop for meat first. Whether you enjoy eating pork, beef, poultry or fish, buying the right type of meat does have an impact on cardiovascular health. Make heart-healthy meat choices and enjoy lower cholesterol levels and a lower risk of heart disease.

2. Watch the Red Meat

Many types of red meat are loaded with unhealthy saturated fat that is harmful to your heart. Studies have shown that excess saturated fats contribute to high cholesterol levels and heart disease. However, you can still enjoy red meat but reduce your risk of heart disease. Organic meat or free-range beef is healthier than traditional beef. Grass-fed cows are fed a healthier diet, which ultimately affects the quality of beef produced. Organic meat also lacks the antibiotics and steroids given to factory-farmed animals. Another obvious choice is venison or buffalo meat. Check with local butchers or natural food stores for organic and free-range meat.

3. Eat Leaner

If you want to eat red meat but can't budget for pricey organic meat or can't find it locally, pick the leanest cut of conventional meat available. It's possible to buy lean cuts of conventional red meat. Leaner cuts are more expensive than those that contain more fat, but they're still less expensive than organic meat. The cost of the meat is higher, but you'll be getting a much higher quality meat. Another option is to buy the highest quality of meat you can afford whether it's organic or lean conventional meat, but then simply eat less of it. Opt for one steak a week rather than larger quantities of ground beef more frequently.

4. Opt for the White

Those who enjoy eating meat, can still enjoy chicken, turkey and fish. Chicken and turkey are both good sources of protein and contain less saturated fat than red meat. Buy skinless turkey or chicken since the skin contains a lot of fat. Fish provides an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that aid in memory and healthy skin. Grill fish fillets and serve them as an alternative to hamburgers. You could also use salmon or your favorite type of fish in taco recipes as a replacement for the usual ground beef.