ADDING LEAN HAM AS A HEALTHY WAY TO ENHANCE FLAVOR

Today there are lots of healthy ham products.  Pork producers are bringing out reduced-sodium hams.  They have also introduced lower-fat hams.  Lean ham is almost as lean as beef sirloin, some fish, and chicken breast.  Laura Marzen R.D. says that makes ham a good choice for adding smoky flavor, but little fat, to dips, casseroles, and vegetable dishes.  She has also stated, "There's something about vegetables cooked with just a little ham that makes them irresistible.  You can put healthful food on the table, but if no one eats it, no one gets the benefit."  She added, "The lesson here is that there are ways to enjoy foods like ham when you keep serving sizes small; just an ounce per person goes a long way in enhancing a soup's flavor."