nutritionist, health coach, healthy lifestyle consultant
“Lard can easily be considered a superfood. Many people believe that it should not be included in the diet of those who follow a healthy diet. Currently, this is not true. The product is not only a tasty delicacy, but also a valuable source of health-promoting nutrients.”
Composition of lard
The base of the product is animal fat and nothing else. There is a product in which there are streaks of meat, but even here the whole mass is just fat.
This product contains fat-soluble vitamins A, E and D, as well as several minerals, such as iron, iodine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, selenium and zinc. Many also call the product an antidepressant because it contains vitamin B.
Photo: Nikolaeva Elena/istockphoto.com
Useful properties of lard
Vitamin D helps in the production and regulation of hormone levels, which is important for the reproductive system. It is also important for bone health and has a preventive effect against cancer, type II diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Although there is an opinion that any fat promotes the formation of plaques, lard is also good for the cardiovascular system. However, we are talking about hard, raw, salty lard, and not fried lard.
The product also contains linoleic acid, which prevents the appearance of cholesterol deposits on the walls of blood vessels, makes them more elastic and reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis (chronic focal damage to the arteries).
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Lard is beneficial for health as it is rich in vitamins and minerals that help strengthen the immune system. It contains arachidonic acid, which helps the body fight viruses and bacteria. Polyunsaturated fatty acids also participate in the formation of various components of the immune system. Therefore, this product is recommended during cold and flu season, as it can reduce the likelihood of acute respiratory illnesses.
Here are some more benefits of the product:
The arachidonic acid in lard participates in the synthesis of prostaglandins. They help regulate the lumen of blood vessels and blood clotting. Fat-soluble vitamins such as A, E and D, found in lard, directly affect the quality of skin and hair. The product is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which helps improve your condition. Girls can consume lard on the first day of their cycle, when the desire for sweets increases. During that period, it will be an excellent antidepressant, a fatty product that perfectly saturates the body during the cold season and provides a lot of energy. Lard is high in protein, which helps to quickly build muscle mass. It is a source of natural collagen, a building material necessary for healthy bones, skin, hair and nails. Selenium in the composition has antioxidant properties, which slows down aging. process. This microelement is especially useful for men, as it ensures good potency and high-quality seminal fluid. It has a positive effect on the prostate, which increases libido.
Photo: istockphoto.com/Jelena Danilovic
Contraindications
People suffering from various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute phase should not eat lard. Among them: pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis and gastritis, colitis. Also, the product is not recommended for patients with liver and kidney diseases.
If you suffer from serious diseases of the cardiovascular system and hepatitis, you should exclude it from your diet. Fatty foods can cause an exacerbation of chronic diseases.
In most cases, the diet does not exclude the consumption of all fats. However, if you have recently suffered a heart attack or stroke, you should consult your doctor before using it.
If you have chronic constipation you should avoid this product, as it contains a high content of unsaturated fats.
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Daily value of fat per day.
The permissible amount of lard is 20 to 30 grams per day.
It is not recommended to subject the product to intense heat treatment, since frying produces harmful carcinogens. The process is irreversible even with vegetable fats. The best option is lightly salted lard.
It is important to note that you should not eat lard at night, but rather focus on taking it in the first half of the day. You can also use it in the morning on an empty stomach to improve the functioning of the gallbladder.
Many people wonder, what foods can you consume lard with? If you have no contraindications, you can combine it with potatoes, whole wheat bread and vegetables. It is allowed to add vegetables (onion or dill).
Photo: YelenaYemchuk/istockphoto.com
How to select and store lard?
Before purchasing lard, it is necessary to carefully study the product. First of all, pay attention to its color. If it is of good quality, the tone will be light, white or soft pink. Expired or damaged products will be indicated with yellow, red and gray colors. The skin should be clear and without bristles.
Also study the thickness of the butter, choose one that is 3 to 6 cm, if it is larger it means that the product will be very hard.
Pay attention to the smell of the product. To do this, ask to cut a piece, warm it in your hands and bring it to your nose. If you smell a sour or unpleasant aroma, the product is damaged.
Lard should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 0 to +4 degrees. It is not recommended to store it in the freezer, since after freezing it loses its structure and flavor.
It is important to package the product correctly. Impenetrable paper is suitable for this. This will prevent air from entering. As a result, freshness will be preserved. Do not leave it near other products. Otherwise, all the smells and flavors will mix.
How to salt lard?
There are several ways to salt lard. Here are the most popular ones.
wet salted lard
Ingredients:
lard – 1 kg; garlic – 10 cloves; coarse salt – 3 tablespoons; bay leaf – 3 pieces; pepper – to taste.
Preparation:
Boil water in a saucepan, add salt, bay leaf and pepper. Remove from heat and cool to 60 degrees. Place the butter in a pan with the skin side up, add five cloves of garlic, previously cut in half, place a weight on top and keep at room temperature for three days. Then blot the butter with a paper towel. Make cuts every 5 cm, place fresh garlic inside, wrap with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator for two days.
Photo: Victoria Popova/istockphoto.com
Dry salted lard
Ingredients:
lard – 1 kg salt – 1 kg.
Preparation:
Coat the lard with salt and store it in the refrigerator for a day, then rinse it under running water, dry it with a paper towel, and wrap it in paper. Store in the refrigerator for five days, after which the lard should be left for a few more days at cool room temperature.
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