Whether it’s the act of losing or gaining, after reaching the weight that we want, let’s admit to this: the next challenge that awaits most of us is managing it. This is because for a lot of people, when they have weight goals when it’s about more of a destination than a journey it becomes just too easy to “disengage” from them once we’ve achieved the outcome that we desire. 

But we don’t want all of your hard work to go to waste. You’re already one step ahead compared to most when it comes to health, and we want to keep it that way. To assist you in the next phase of your healthy living journey, we want to talk about the best meats to include in your diet. 

Here’s what we discovered: more than just cutting down on portion sizes or removing it from your diet completely, it’s all about making the right choices when it comes to type and cut! In this article, we’re going to show you why lean meat, or “white” meat, should be your new weight management BFF! 

 

Chicken Breasts

Perhaps the most popular lean meat choice due to its versatility and inexpensive price, health buffs swear by chicken breasts and we do too! Its role in a balanced diet can’t be emphasized enough: it’s a great source of lean protein, which means less fat for your heart. But it’s not just that: chicken breasts have no sugar or starch, so if you want less carbs, then you’ll never go wrong with chicken.

The low-fat protein in chicken breasts has a host of other health benefits, which include building and maintaining muscle mass, strengthening bones, and improving appetite control. It’s also a source of selenium, phosphorus, vitamin B6, and niacin – vitamins and minerals we all need to stay healthy and strong!

 

Fish

Well known for providing omega-3 fatty acids that help protect us against cardiovascular disease, fish is another lean meat we don’t want you to miss out on! Salmon and cod are just some of the most popular choices. Regardless of fish type, the point is that white-fleshed fish is lower in “bad” fat than its other animal meat counterparts – that’s great news for your heart!

Fish can also help lower your cholesterol, improve your eye health, and lower symptoms of depression. And more than just omega-3, it also provides much needed vitamin D. You’ll definitely want to add fish as part of your list of superfood! 

 

Turkey

Much like chicken, turkey is another source of protein that’s especially low in fat! This helps with maintaining lean muscle, keeping insulin levels stable, and increases the feeling of being “full” longer, which can assist in appetite control. 

Turkey contains  niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, the amino acid tryptophan (helpful in enhancing mood because it produces serotonin), choline, and zinc. It also has anti-cancer properties since it’s a great source of selenium, the intake of which can lower risks of cancer according to studies. So health-wise, turkey is definitely more than just holiday food! 

 

We’re not saying you should stop eating red meat – on its own, beef, pork, lamb and the likes have their own set of health benefits. But if you’re looking at maintaining the weight you’ve worked so hard for with the intention of getting most of your daily nutritional needs at the same time, then these choice lean meats have you covered! Aging well means eating well, so instead of depriving yourself of a certain food, the way to go is finding healthier alternatives. 

Here’s to hoping your journey to great health continues for the rest of your life.

 

 

If you’d like to know more about our meal delivery service and the work we do at Hearty Health HQ, drop us an email at hello@heartyhealth.com.au.