It’s the first day of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Taiwan and across the country people are stocking up on meat as they prepare for the seasonal pastime of barbecue. But while tasty, some of these popular barbecue ingredients have a big surprise waiting for unsuspecting grillers.
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As Taiwan celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with barbecue feasts, it's worth considering the hidden calories in those mouthwatering meats.
A5 Wagyu beef, a top favorite, is 50% fat and contains nearly 980 calories in just 120 grams, two-thirds of an average adult's daily calorie needs. Following closely behind are pork chops, boasting 725 calories in a mere 250-gram portion. Processed items aren’t necessarily healthy either. Certain kinds of tofu, blood pudding, and fish cake can harbor a shocking 70% fat content, rising even higher if they’ve been marinated.
Nutritionist Lin Shih-hang (林世航) says the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of Wagyu beef is due to its high fat content. A4 and A5 grades are rated based on their Beef Marbling Score. High scores result in that delightful texture but also mean sky-high fat levels.
It's not only calories to watch out for this season. High-temperature grilling of meats, not to mention smoke, can also release potential carcinogens which can have negative health effects.
So, as you fire up the grill this Moon Festival, remember to savor each bite, and indulge in moderation.