The consumption of ham has been linked to various health benefits, and a particular type of ham known as “paleo-friendly” can be an excellent addition to a healthy diet.
Ham is one of the most versatile meats on the market. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it goes with everything from eggs to mashed potatoes, and it comes in all different shapes and sizes—including a microwavable lunch pack.
The healthiest varieties of ham to eat are those that are preservative, additive, and filler-free. However, it’s important to know which cuts of ham are the healthiest as well as which brands you can count on to deliver the best quality hams.
Many brands are not labeled clearly making it hard for consumers to make informed choices about what they’re buying. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular types of ham on the market and discuss their health benefits.
Baking Hams
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In the United States, “pink meat” is considered to be more desirable than “yellow meat.” This is because of its appearance and texture. The pink meat comes from a specific cut called “the picnic ham.” But it’s important to note that these hams are not healthy. They’re high in sodium, fat, and cholesterol. In fact, they’ve been linked to heart disease and strokes because they’re so saturated in unhealthy fats.
To make sure you’re eating a healthy ham, look for the “ham hock” or the “limp” leg. The ham hock is the lower part of the leg, which includes all of the meat attached to it. It’s usually sold as ground meat in cans and other canned foods. This cut has been shown to pack a lot of benefits into one subcutaneous location:
- It’s incredibly nutritious.
- It’s got plenty of high-quality protein.
- It’s loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.
- It has rich amounts of B vitamins including niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin.
The meat from the “ham hock” is widely available at grocery stores and supermarkets all over the United States both as fresh meat and canned meat products. If you want to add it to your diet, it will probably be in the meat section of your local market.
Another type of ham that is available all over the world is known as a “baked ham.” As its name implies, it’s cooked on a baking sheet in the oven. It’s an especially popular type of ham during religious holidays like Christmas and Easter. It can be served hot, warm, or cold – making it an excellent choice for family gatherings or parties. These hams tend to be a bit smaller than regular hams, but they’re usually tastier too.
Pork Hams
Another popular type of ham that’s available at your local market is pork ham. Pork hams contain a single layer of meat from a pig’s leg. They’re often spiral cut, giving them a curl and helping to keep them moist. If you’re going to eat pork hams in your diet, make sure that you choose the “lean” version with less than five grams of fat per serving. Otherwise, these hams are not the best choice for someone who wants to live a healthy lifestyle.
Fresh hams are available all year in the United States. They’re often sold with a hard outer shell that can be removed before cooking or serving. If you want to eat hams this way, look for them at your local supermarket or grocer during the winter holidays.
Ham Steaks: A Third Way to Enjoy Ham
A third option is a new way of getting more ham into your diet: ham steak. It’s similar to pork ham, but it is much leaner than pork ham.
Ham steaks have a layer of meat that is similar to bacon. Ham steaks are often served in order like salmon with a lemon caper sauce with an anchovy dressing – but you don’t have to know how to cook them. You can enjoy them just as they are, cold or even flash heated and then chilled. You can also cook them by boiling, frying, roasting, or grilling.
How to Select Ham You Like
There are so many brands of ham and each one is different in taste, texture, fat content, and preparation methods. You can buy ham for less than $1 a pound if you look around for them – but the cost of “delicious” maybe more. For the tastiest ham, look for hams that are cured for about six months and have a smoky odor. A good option is to pick up a spiral-sliced ham from the grocery store.
- Ham is commonly available in most supermarkets from November to Easter.
- Store it in your refrigerator for up to one month.
- Do not freeze ham.
Cooking Ham: Methods and Tips
Ham is primarily purchased as a roast, but it can be sliced into steaks or used in a variety of other recipes. Here are some ways to cook ham: How to Cook Ham Roasts – If you buy a ham roast then follow these easy steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Remove the plastic wrapping.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan. Leave it uncovered.
- Roast for 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees F.
- Let the ham cool for a bit before carving.
How to Cook Ham Steaks
If you want to cook ham steaks in the oven, preheat to 325 degrees F and bake for about 30 minutes per pound or until golden brown and cooked through. If you want to broil, heat the broiler and cook for about five minutes on each side.
How to Cook Ham Shanks
Ham shanks are more difficult to find in supermarkets, but you can find them if you look around.
- First, place the ham shanks in water for a few minutes.
- Then place the ham shanks in a large pot with enough chicken stock so that they’re covered and bring it all to a boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer until tender (about an hour).
- When done, remove the shanks and cover them to keep warm.
- Add flour to the liquid and reduce until it becomes thickened.
- Remove the ham from the bone and chow down!
How to Cook Ham Hocks
Some people use ham hocks in soups.
- However, they’re often used in broth-based dishes like rice, beans, or pasta.
- To prepare ham hocks for these things, remove the meat and discard the bone.
- Then place the ham hock in a large pot with enough water so that it is covered.
- Bring it to a boil and simmer until tender (about an hour).
How to Cook Luncheon Meat
Luncheon meat is a common ingredient that can be found at supermarket deli counters. To make luncheon meat, mix ground or cubed ham with fine spices like sage or poultry seasoning. Form the mixture into thin small patties and fry them in oil. Cook on both sides until golden brown.
How Much Ham is Enough?
There are important nutrients in ham and it can be an excellent part of your diet if you know what to buy and how to enjoy it. If you want to eat ham for a healthy lifestyle, then make sure that you get at least 3 ounces per day if you’re a man and 2 ounces per day if you’re a woman. Remember that adults need about one ounce for every 25 to 50 pounds they weigh.
Here’s a good rule of thumb
- Two servings of meat per day are just right.
- One serving of meat could be a serving of chicken or fish and the other one could be ham or another type of meat.
Follow this tip every day and you will get the nutrition you need to stay healthy as well as reduce your risk for heart disease.
References
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