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Many beef options are appropriate for a heart-healthy diet. To select the leanest cuts, look for "round" or "loin" in the name.

Processed meats are those products which are made from meat, such as beef, chicken, or turkey, and then "processed" into a "form." These include bologna, bratwurst, hot dogs, jerky, and sausage. Most of these products contain sodium nitrate as a preservative for longer shelflife and are, as a rule, extremely high in saturated fat and sodium.

Tofu, tempeh, and other soy-based foods are all good meat substitutes. When you eat these, you also benefit from soy's cholesterol-lowering properties.