Hatfield Quality Meats Reminder: October is National Pork Month

Food & Beverage Close-Up, Sept 17, 2008

FOOD AND BEVERAGE CLOSE-UP-17 September 2008-Hatfield Quality Meats Reminder: October is National Pork Month(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com

Pork may bill itself as the "other white meat," but it's actually the most widely eaten meat in the world, almost twice as much as chicken, according to the USDA.

It's ingrained in American culture, not only is ham the No. 1 lunch meat eaten at home in the U.S., but even icons like Uncle Sam and Wall Street trace their origins to the industry.

October is National Pork Month, which recognizes that centuries old industry full of delicious tradition. And helping feed that need is family-owned Hatfield Quality Meats. For fall, the company recently introduced the new Autumn Spice Ham Steak and Virginia Brand Ham, in addition to new pre-marinated entrees such as Sweet Brown Sugar Ham Steaks and Lemon Garlic Pork Loin Filets.

"Pork tenderloin is so flavorful and versatile, it can help take the boredom out of low-fat diets - and it has a lot of the nutrients you need in your daily diet," said Eric Haman, a spokesman for Hatfield.

A recent USDA study reveals six common cuts of fresh pork are leaner today than they were 15 years ago - on average about 16 percent lower in total fat and 27 percent lower in saturated fat. But less fat doesn't have to mean less flavor, according to Haman. To keep your lean pork moist and flavorful, try using an instant-read thermometer, or marinate your favorite cut before cooking - many marinades add flavor without a lot of fat. And stuffing your chop with fruit or using a spice rub are other ways to boost the flavor.

Here are some additional facts:

- A recent study published in the journal "Obesity" revealed that including protein from lean sources of pork in your diet - like Hatfield's new marinated pork loin filet - could help retain more lean body mass (including muscle) while losing weight. In fact, tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork with only 2.98 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving, making it as lean as a skinless chicken breast.

- While low in fat, pork also contains important nutrients such as Thiamin, B-vitamins, phosphorus and zinc.

- Lean pork, such as chops and ham, is recognized as a nutritious choice in the Meat & Beans Group on the USDA's MyPyramid.

- Many pork cuts are great source of high-quality protein. Protein provides a feeling of fullness at meals, which can help make you feel satisfied without overindulging at the dinner table. (When shopping, make sure to look for lean sources of pork with the word "loin" in the name, such as pork tenderloin or loin chop.)

- Pork's perfect for low-carb diets. To keep fat and saturated fat intake down, experts recommend choosing lean sources of protein, such as lean pork.

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