Lean Beef- A Super Satisfying Balance of Taste and Nutrition
We all know that beef tastes great, but did you know how good it is for you too? A 3 oz. cooked serving of lean beef (about the size of a deck of cards) provides 10 essential nutrients and about half of the Daily Value for protein in about 170 calories!
Let's dig a little deeper.
What is Lean?
A cut of cooked fresh meat is considered “lean” when it contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams (3½ oz) and per RACC (Reference Amount Customarily Consumed), which is 85 grams (3 oz).
Per 100 grams:
- Less than 10 grams of total fat
- 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat
- Less than 95 mg of cholesterol
Lean Beef Choices
Odds are that you’re probably already cooking lean cuts at home or choosing one when dining out. Good for you! A telltale sign that a cut is lean is if the word “Round” or “Loin” is in the name—that’s quite a lot of cuts if you think about it! In fact, thanks to enhancements in cattle breeding and feeding as well as improved trimming practices, more than 60 percent of whole muscle beef cuts found in the supermarket are considered lean when cooked with visible fat trimmed.1
Let's take a look at some of the most popular options:
Top Sirloin Steak
This versatile steak can be used in a multitude of ways. Whether cubed for kabobs, sliced into strips for stir-fry or grilled straight up as a steak, you can count on Top Sirloin for good value and great flavor. Consider our Easy Sirloin Thai Salad, Greek Beef Steak and Hummus Plate or Grilled Steak and Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread for your next Top Sirloin meal!
Strip Steak (Top Loin Steak)
With nicknames like New York Strip or Kansas City Steak, you’ve probably enjoyed a Strip Steak at home or at a restaurant! Delicious beefy taste and lots of mealtime versatility make this cut a popular choice! Try our colorful Pomegranate Steak with Quinoa or simply delicious Beef Steaks with Sweet-Soy Drizzle.
Tenderloin Steak
There’s good reason it’s called the Tenderloin. This steak ranks as the #1 most tender! It has delicate beef flavor, which makes it perfect for recipes like Tenderloin Steaks with Blue Cheese Topping or a Tenderloin, Cranberry and Pear Salad.
93% Lean Ground Beef
Buying Ground Beef that’s 93% lean (or leaner) provides great flavor and convenience in a lean package. This choice is great for dishes like Lean Baked Meatballs Marinara as well as burger options.
- • IRI/Freshlook, Total US MULO, 52 weeks ending 5/21/17; Categorized by VMMeat System
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Beef and Heart Health
Research on heart health shows that eating lean beef can be a solution to one of America’s greatest health challenges. Lean beef can help lower cholesterol as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Beef's Nutrients
When it comes to beef and your health, you can rest easy knowing beef contains important nutrients. In just one 3 oz. cooked serving, you’re getting 10 essential nutrients including protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins.
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beef wise study
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