Peggy Flax a Family Swine Farmer from South Charleston Ohio- Do You Know Your Own Product?, October 31st 2011

By Peggy Flax
rpflax@gmail.com

You all know that pork is delicious!  But how much do you know about the nutritional contribution it makes to a healthy diet?  As producers of the most popular meat choice in the world, it is important to be aware of some basic nutritional facts about our product.

Pork is an excellent source of protein.  The protein it provides is complete.  According to Wikipedia, complete protein is most often found in meat and other animal products.  A complete protein has all nine amino acids in the correct proportions to meet the dietary needs of humans.  These essential proteins are the building blocks of good health.  They play key roles in growth and repair of body tissue.  Protein is also a good source of food energy, providing us with just four calories per gram.

Pork provides us with several essential minerals.  It is an excellent source of iron which carries oxygen to all of the body’s organs through the blood stream.  Someone who is low on dietary iron may develop Iron Deficiency Anemia and is said to be anemic.  People who are anemic will feel tired and weak and may feel dizzy.  To alleviate the deficiency, their doctor may advise them to consume more red meats, like pork.  Other valuable minerals readily found in pork are phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.

Pork is an important source of several B vitamins, including thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and vitamin B-6.  The B vitamins have many important functions in the body, most notably cell metabolism.  B vitamins help to maintain healthy hair, skin and muscle tone and promote cell growth.  They also enhance immune and nervous system function.   Because of their connection with the nervous system, B vitamins are actually considered to be mood boosters.

It is important to note that pork provides us with another of the six essential nutrients—fat.  In addition to being an important source of energy at nine calories per gram, fat is the vehicle that transports essential nutrients like Vitamins D, A, K and E throughout the body.  Since eliminating fat from the diet would result in these fat-soluble nutrients not being able to function, serious problems with blood clotting, kidney function, reproduction, and eyesight, as well as other important functions of our bodies, would occur.  There are many readily available sources of fat in the diets of most Americans.  The USDA recommends that we consume mostly the leaner cuts, such as pork loin and tenderloin, when eating pork and other red meats.

I not only choose pork because it is the product that I produce, but also because it tastes good, is easy on the budget, and is versatile and easy to prepare.  But more importantly, I choose pork because of its nutritional value.  When I make pork a part of family meals, I know that I am doing everything I can to provide myself and my family with the nutrients we need for good health.