SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Pork Producers (IPPA) are teaming up with the American Heart Assoc. (AHA) of Springfield and offering healthy meal alternatives at AHA events.

The IPPA will be on hand at the AHA 2012 Springfield Heart Walk May 5 at Southwind Park. Participants in the Heart Walk have the chance to visit booths with health information, enroll their children in activities and take part in health screenings and make tributes to loved ones. The 2012 walk is presented by Memorial Medical Center.

It is amazing to note that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of all Americans. The AHA stated someone dies from CVD every 38 seconds, and heart disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined.

 Erin Cleary, director of Marketing & Education for the IPPA, said, “Pork today compares favorably for fat, calories and cholesterol with many other meats and poultry. While providing a greater amount of vitamins and minerals, many cuts of pork are as lean or leaner than chicken. Pork tenderloin, for example, is just as lean as skinless chicken breast and meets the government guidelines for ‘extra lean.’

“In total, six pork cuts meet the USDA guidelines for lean,’ with less than 10 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving. Any cuts from the loin – like pork chops and pork roast – are leaner than skinless chicken thigh, according to USDA data. Pork steaks or roasts from the leg (‘fresh ham’) are also lean choices.”

The mission of the IPPA is to continually supply the world with the highest quality pork with the highest ethical standards. Participating with the AHA provides participants a lean meal option.

“With the leanness of today’s pork, we wanted to showcase this with a partnership with the American Heart Association on a local level,” Cleary said. “2011 was our first event with the AHA in Springfield and we grilled our lean pork loin sandwiches for the Heart Walk folks. We will be doing it again on May 5 and hope to continue our partnership long into the future.

“Besides grilling the lean tenderloin sandwiches, IPPA will have a booth featuring all of the most heart-healthy recipes we have, in addition to some really fun recipes for kids,” she added. “And, how much do you really know about pork nutrition? Folks can spin the trivia wheel and find out, and win great prizes.”

Wishing to dispel negative myths about pork, she said, “We want to educate folks on the health benefits of pork and pork tenderloin, in particular. Many people still have that thought in their mind that pork is bad for you and is all fat, and that is just so old-school.”

To find recipes, log onto www.porkbeinspired.com

Heart Walks are offered all over the Unites States. To find a local walk, check out the AHA website at www.heartwalk.org

The funds raised at the Heart Walks are used to fund the valuable research, education and advocacy efforts of the AHA.