Beef...it's what's for dinner!

As dairy farmers, we work hard to promote our milk products, but as dairy farmers we are also beef producers too.  Our bull calves are raised by local farmers as steers and a few of our older cows are also sold for beef.  So, I took some time to educate myself tonight in why beef is important in a healthy diet.  I always knew beef was important, but I didn't know how power packed a lean serving of beef can be...so here's some interesting facts:

• A 3 ounce serving of beef supplies 51% of the daily recommended Protein.
• That same serving of beef also provides 38% of the daily recommended Zinc, 37% of B-12, 26% of Selenium, and 20% of Phosphorous! Wow!
• Beef is also a good source for Niacin, B-6, Riboflavin, and Iron.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Reports: "Americans are increasingly overfed yet undernourished, so it’s essential that we get the most nutritional value from the foods and beverages we enjoy. In fact, the USDA states American's should “get more nutrition from their calories” by choosing nutrient-rich foods first, within and among all food groups, including colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low- and nonfat dairy, and lean meats.

Beef's essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) helps the body build, maintain and repair body tissue. Muscles also form hormones and enzymes, and increase resistance to infection and disease. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that eating more protein can benefit weight loss, muscle mass maintenance, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and satiety. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), iron deficiency is a common nutritional deficiency worldwide among young children and women of child-bearing age, including those who are pregnant.  Four million U.S. children are iron-deficient, and childhood iron-deficiency anemia is associated with behavioral and cognitive delays. Beef is a good source of iron, and unlike plant proteins, beef is the food supply’s most readily available and easily absorbed source of iron. Iron not only helps red blood cells carry oxygen to body tissue, it also plays an important role in cognitive health, including memory, ability to learn and reasoning.

Beef is an excellent source of zinc, which is an essential nutrient that fuels thousands of bodily processes, including building muscles and healing wounds, maintaining the immune system, and contributing to cognitive health.

Beef contains a significant amount of several B vitamins including vitamins B12 and B6, niacin and riboflavin.  Vitamin B12 is needed for normal functioning of body cells and of the nervous system.  Vitamin B6 is important for a healthy nervous system and helps the body fight infection. In addition, both vitamins B12 and B6 play important roles in lowering blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that increases risk for heart disease and dementia.  Niacin promotes healthy skin and nerves, aids digestion, and fosters normal appetite; and riboflavin helps the body use energy and promotes healthy skin and good vision.

As with all of our food choices, we must remember to eat in moderation.  Beef balanced with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy creates a delicious, healthy meal for families.  So, support our beef producers....and serve beef, it's what's for dinner!