Meat forms an important part of our diet. It supplies our body with a plethora of essential nutrients such as muscle-building proteins, Vitamin B complex from B1 to B12, vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids and much more. These are required to keep the body in the pink of health. There is also a lot of room for culinary creativity when it comes to meat. However, did you know that buying bad quality meat can do just the opposite and have many negative implications for our health? To get all the nutrients from meat minus the harmful effects, it is also important to keep a few important things in mind while buying meat. Here are five things that you must keep in mind when meat shopping.
01/ Examine the texture
The texture or the feel of the meat can be telling when it comes to assessing its quality. Red meat should not be watery or yellow when cut, and it should not be falling off the bones. If the meat has a yellow or watery texture, the meat is not fresh. When it comes to poultry, the muscle fibres should be easily evident and the surface should be firm on touch. The meat should not be slimy when touched, and your fingers should remain dry. If the flesh is translucent when cut, it is not fresh.
02/ Check the colour
You can tell a lot about the freshness of the meat just by looking at its colour. Red meat should be bright red when cut. If the meat is stored in vacuum-sealed packaging, it might appear a little brown. It is safe to purchase and can be stored for longer in the refrigerator. In the case of poultry, the meat should be light pink or white. Keep your eyes open for any hints of green colour under the wings. The surface of the bird should also not have any bruises or blood clots.
03/ Notice the smell
One of the quickest ways to tell the freshness of the meat is to judge its smell. No matter what type of meat you are buying, if there is any type of pungent or strong smell, do not purchase it. Red meat should have a typical lamb or goat smell, and there should not be any variation in it. Poultry meats usually do not have strong odours, but they may have a somewhat meaty smell sometimes. If the scent is more powerful than that, the chances are that the meat is not fresh.
04/ Choose skinless meats
Apart from the freshness of the meat, it is also essential to choose the right parts to get the most benefits and dodge ailments. Always choose to buy skinless meat as the skin is rich in high amounts of calories and saturated fats, which can contribute to a range of cardiovascular and weight problems. Even though meat with the skin on makes tasty fried dishes, it is not worth the health issues.
05/ Prefer traceable meat
Nowadays, it is all the more crucial to know where your meat products are coming from and how it was sourced and bred. Knowing the ancestry and history of an animal is vital to be sure about its quality. In the case of buying packaged meats, always read the label to understand the origin and farm conditions of the meat. It is important to remember that choosing the right type and quality of meat is essential to attain the best health benefits out of them.
5 things to keep in mind while buying meat
![5 things to keep in mind while buying meat]()
Reviewed by streakoggi
on
August 28, 2020
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