May is National Beef Month!

May is National Beef Month so I thought it’d be fitting to talk about this powerhouse lean protein! In addition, today is Cinco de Mayo and Taco Tuesday so a fitting day to discuss hamburger which you use for your taco meat!! As many of you know,  my husband Adam raises beef cattle with his dad and brother. Our sons are the 6th generation of Raml Cattle. Cattle and ranching aren’t just their jobs, it is truly their passion and they do anything in their power to make sure their cattle are healthy and well to produce a top notch protein on your plate. Ranching and farming are not easy in today’s world, but we are blessed to be able to raise our boys on the ranch and show them how hard work, perseverance, and passion can pay off.

Now you may think I am just bias, but science doesn’t lie–I’m putting on my nutrition hat now and want to share how lean red meat can be included in a heart healthy diet! Did you know that beef is 20% leaner than it was about 15 years ago? There are at least 29 cuts of lean beef which means they meet the government guidelines for lean, meaning each cut has less than 10g of total fat, less than 4.5 g of saturated fat, and less than 95mg of cholesterol (in a 3 oz serving). Lean beef is also a great source of multiple vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, iron, and choline.

Here are some tips for you to make beef a part of your heart healthy meals:

• Look for key words such as “round” or “loin” …these are typically leaner cuts.

• Choose 90% or greater lean beef. This means in a 3oz serving there is less than 5g of fat in it.

• Use healthy cooking methods such as grilling, broiling, baking, roasting, or braising. The less tender cuts can be marinated in a tenderizing marinade such as salsa or light Italian dressing.

• Trim the fat! Trimming the fat before cooking will help eliminate some of the fat from the cut.

• Cook with fresh ingredients such as lemon juice, peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs instead of adding extra fat to the cut.

• Practice portion control. Select the 3-5 oz serving over the 10oz. Balance is key to a healthy diet, so be sure to include your fruits and veggies and whole grains along with your lean meat to create a healthy plate.

• All meat is required to have the nutrition content (label) posted by it in the grocery store. Be sure to use this when you’re selecting your cuts of meat and pay special attention to the total fat and saturated fat content.

Right now with meat shortages in the grocery stores, it’s a perfect time to check out your local ranchers and buy their meat. You know where it comes from and it’s an excellent and nutritious power packed protein for you and your family!

If you want to learn more about the benefits of beef and explore healthy recipes check out these websites: www.beefnutrition.org and www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.

Below are some of my favorite pictures of our world on the ranch.

Eat beef, it’s what’s for dinner!

Kelsey