Dr. Chau Thi Anh, Head of the Nutrition Department at Xuyen A General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, said that there is no type of meat that is "absolutely good" or "absolutely bad" for the cardiovascular system. The important factors depend on the cut of meat chosen, the amount of fat, the cooking method, and the total portion size in the daily diet. In fact, a lean piece of pork may be better for the heart than a fatty piece of beef, and vice versa.
While dietary cholesterol isn't the only factor contributing to high blood lipid levels, individuals with dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes still need to control their cholesterol and animal fat intake.
Nutritional comparison table of some types of pork and beef
Photo: L. CAM created using AI
"The lean parts of pork nowadays are usually not as 'fatty' as many people think. However, pork belly contains a lot of saturated fat, so it's not suitable for frequent consumption. Lean beef is rich in iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and high-quality protein, but if you choose cuts of beef with more fat, the amount of saturated fat also increases significantly," Dr. Uyen shared.
How should people with high cholesterol or high blood pressure eat meat?
According to Dr. Uyen, for people with high cholesterol or high blood pressure, food choices should prioritize lean meats, actively removing visible fat and maintaining a moderate portion size. Suitable options include lean beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin, or lean thigh meat. Conversely, patients should minimize consumption of fatty meats such as pork belly, fatty ribs, fatty ground meat, as well as organ meats and processed meats.
In particular, processed meats such as sausages, bacon, ham, and canned meats are a group of foods that should be especially limited. They often contain very high levels of salt, saturated fat, and nitrite preservatives – components that are directly and clearly linked to the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
The choice between pork or beef is not as important as the cut of meat and the cooking method...
ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO: Created by L. Cam from GM
The cooking method also plays an important role.
Besides choosing the right meat, the cooking method is equally important for health. Patients should prioritize healthy cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, stewing, or pan-frying with little oil; while minimizing deep-fried dishes, burnt grilled meats, and dishes served with many salty sauces. Especially for those with high blood pressure, it is crucial to strictly control the amount of salt, fish sauce, seasoning powder, and other condiments used in daily meals.
"Therefore, for good cardiovascular health, the issue is not about 'beef or pork,' but about choosing lean or fatty cuts, how much to eat, how to prepare it, and the overall diet. People at risk of high cholesterol or high blood pressure should prioritize lean meats, eat in moderate portions, limit pork belly and processed meats, and combine them with plenty of vegetables, fish, and fiber-rich foods," Dr. Uyen advised.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-an-thit-bo-hay-thit-heo-tot-hon-cho-tim-mach-185260521153414977.htm
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