How Long can you Keep Sacrificial Meat in the Refrigerator and Eat it without it becoming a Health Hazard?

 

If you look at Pakistan's social media these days, you will see many trends related to Eid. People share pictures of feasts decorated with meat-based chicken, delicious salads, barbecues, kebabs, and biryani.

In such a situation, there is another important problem that people are facing, a lot of sacrificial meat has accumulated and now how to preserve it for a long time, so experiences of preserving the meat of the sacrificial animal in different ways are also being shared on social media.

 

However, among all this, one question that is being asked again and again, is how much meat should be eaten so that it remains beneficial for health, and can meat frozen for a long time be as beneficial for health as fresh meat?

 

According to experts, meat contains important minerals including iron and vitamin B12, and is important for human health. However, it is important to maintain a balance between all of them.

 

So, who is it beneficial for to eat a large amount of meat during Eid, and what should people with health problems eat meat with on this Eid, most importantly, what are the simple rules for maintaining the nutrition of frozen meat?

 

In this article, we have tried to find answers to these questions from nutritionists and existing research.

 

Drink Water with Meat

 

It should be remembered that in many countries, including Pakistan, Eid al-Adha has come in extremely hot weather this year, and complaints of load shedding and low voltage are also being made in many areas.

 

In such a situation, eating meat and handling sacrificial meat also comes up as a big challenge.

 

So how can meat-loving people keep their stomach system healthy despite this hot season?

In response to this question, Zainab Ghayyur, a nutritionist associated with Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, says 'On Eid, people eat a lot of meat in a single day and the disadvantage of this is that if a person does not face any other health problem, the effect of eating too much meat at one time on such a person can come in the form of constipation and acidity in the stomach.'

'Eating too much meat at one time can cause digestive problems even for a normal and healthy person, and apart from this, if someone has a heart disease or uric acid problem, those who have it can also have health problems by eating too much meat at one time.'

 

Zainab Ghayur says that if you are not facing other health problems, then "according to the American Health Guidelines, you can eat about eight ounces or about a pound of red meat in a day. However, in the context of Eid, we eat much more meat in a single day."

 

Use of Yogurt and Salad

 

Is there any way to avoid the harm of eating too much meat?

 

In response to this question, Zainab Ghayyur said that the best way would be to improve our hydration. Drink as much water as possible whenever we eat meat. It is a must to take yogurt and salad with it because yogurt and salad are pre- and probiotics (beneficial bacteria for the digestive system) in our food which help in keeping our digestive system healthy.

 

She suggested taking a bowl of yogurt before eating for breakfast for people who are fond of liver.

"Usually, during Eid days, there is a tradition of eating liver in the morning, so because the liver is rich in iron and vitamin A, it is better to eat a bowl of yogurt before liver."

Gastroenterologist Zainab says that meat is not easily digested, and the digestive system has to work hard for it, so "it is better to drink more water at regular intervals and ORS can also be used to maintain electrolytes, i.e. salts, in the body."

Avoid Tea, Coffee, and Cold drinks

According to experts, anemia is a common problem among people in Pakistan.

 

According to Zainab, 'When the level of iron and vitamin B12 in the blood decreases, red meat i.e. mutton and beef is considered a good source of iron and vitamin B12 deficiency. And if we consume it in a routine or during Eid days, it will be good for our general health, but because we take more quantity, it will be harmful.'

According to Zainab Ghayyur, 'If someone is suffering from kidney diseases and is not on dialysis, then they have to take protein in small quantities. Similarly, for heart patients whose lipid profile is not normal, eating beef can be harmful for them.'

Thalassemia patients who cannot be given iron should drink tea or coffee with meat so that iron is not absorbed and does not cause problems for the thalassemia patient.

People suffering from anemia who eat meat on Eid should drink lemon with it so that iron can be absorbed in the body as much as possible.

According to Zainab, there are two different situations: for some people, it is necessary to take iron, and for some, the absorption of iron can be harmful to their health.

Many people drink soft drinks to enhance the taste of meat and barbecue. So, does this also have a good effect on hydration?

In response to this question, she said that drinking cold drinks with meat is not a good choice, but instead, it is better to use lassi or lemon water. 'Lassi and lemon water also help in the absorption of iron, while soft drinks are not a substitute for it.'

 

Difference between Frozen and Fresh Meat Nutrition

 

On Eid, many people freeze some of the meat to eat later, but there is also a perception that its nutrition is not maintained.

 

Zainab Ghayyur said, "If the meat is frozen in the freezer according to the guidelines, that is, it is kept in a single-serving packet and the temperature of the freezer does not change, then there is no difference in the nutritional value of frozen or fresh meat."

"However, if the refrigerator has to be opened repeatedly or the electricity is intermittent, then the temperature of the refrigerator does not remain uniform, then there is an issue."

According to her, if you freeze large pieces of meat in packets, the uniform temperature does not affect the large pieces. That is, some pieces freeze and some take more time. However, if there is no frequent change in temperature or electricity, the nutritional value of the frozen meat will be the same as that of fresh meat and there is no harm.

 

Does Food Stay Frozen Forever?

 

According to food researchers, freezing food stops the growth of bacteria. However, if it is properly labeled before storing, food can be prevented from going bad.

According to the research, food can be frozen indefinitely without spoiling. However, foods exposed to air in the freezer can suffer from 'freezer burn' and the fats inside them can spoil.

According to research, over time, the quality, taste, and texture of all foods will be affected by freezing.

Food experts have given some guidelines on how long food can be frozen without affecting its taste, but it is also important to remember that certain other factors can affect this.

Remember, the faster the food is frozen, the less likely it is to spoil.

Freezing small amounts of meat is better than adding large amounts of unfrozen food to your freezer at once. Flat or vertical packaging in thin layers in food-grade plastic bags will help meat and food freeze faster.

How Long does Food Last in the Freezer?

 

According to Food Expert guidelines, sausages can be frozen for two months, and minced or cut red meat for four months.

 

Well-packaged, well-ventilated chicken can be frozen for up to a year.

 

Roasted joints of lamb or beef can be frozen for nine months to a year, and chops and steaks for six to nine months. While chicken pieces can also be frozen for six to nine months to maintain their nutritional value, the condition is that the freezer temperature remains consistent and that repeated opening and closing and power outages do not cause any differences in freezing.

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