3 things to avoid when eating pork leg

Pork leg is a popular food in the cuisines of many countries, and can be stewed, braised, boiled, cured, etc. While it has some nutritional value – especially being rich in collagen and protein – this type of meat also contains a lot of fat and purines. To enjoy pork leg without harming your health, here are three things you need to keep in mind.

Do not eat more than once a week.

Pork trotters are a cut of meat containing a lot of tendons, fat, and skin, rich in collagen and protein, but also high in saturated fat. Regularly consuming pork trotters may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Studies from the Harvard School of Public Health (USA) indicate that saturated fat increases levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood – a major factor causing arterial blockage. Additionally, for sedentary individuals or those who are overweight, regularly consuming pork trotters can lead to faster fat accumulation and difficulty controlling weight.

Therefore, healthy adults should only eat pork trotters a maximum of once a week, combined with a diet rich in green vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, or tofu.

Avoid eating it with a lot of rice or starch.

A common mistake when eating pork trotters is pairing them with large amounts of carbohydrates like white rice, instant noodles, bread, or vermicelli. This makes the meal unbalanced, easily leading to excessive calorie intake without enough fiber or essential vitamins. Refined carbohydrates, when combined with fatty foods like pork trotters, can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar and lead to feelings of fatigue and drowsiness after eating.

For people with diabetes or prediabetes, this combination is even more dangerous as it can cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. Additionally, the excess energy from both pork leg and carbohydrates, if not burned off, will be converted into fat that accumulates in the liver and around the waist.

You should combine eating moderate amounts of pork leg with plenty of vegetables. (Illustration: Ban Mai)

You shouldn't eat after 8 PM.

Pork trotters are a flavorful and nutritious dish, but they can be difficult to digest, especially when prepared in traditional ways like stewing in a salty sauce or braising. Eating pork trotters late at night (after 8 PM) can cause bloating, difficulty sleeping, and digestive problems due to the stomach having to work harder.

According to experts from Cleveland Clinic, eating a high-fat, high-protein dinner late at night can increase the risk of acid reflux, indigestion, and negatively impact sleep quality. In the long term, this habit can also lead to weight gain and metabolic disorders.

Therefore, if you want to eat pork trotters, choose to enjoy them at lunchtime or early afternoon. If you eat them in the evening, you should consume them before 7 PM in small quantities, preferably prepared without too many spices.

Who should not eat pork trotters?

- People with high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease: Pork trotters contain a lot of saturated fat which can increase the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.

- People with gout or high uric acid levels: Pork trotters contain a lot of purines. When purines enter the body, they are metabolized into uric acid, which can lead to severe joint pain in people with gout.

- Obese people or those trying to lose weight: Because it contains a lot of fat and calories, pork trotters are not suitable for people who need to control their weight. Eating them frequently can easily lead to fat accumulation, especially in the abdominal area.

(According to Vietnamnet.vn)

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/128671/3-khong-khi-an-thit-chan-gio