Kentucky Beef Council

Kylie Trail Director of Brand Management, Kentucky Beef Council

With February being National Heart Month, it is a great time to promote beef's role in a heart-healthy diet. Digital ads this month will promote convenient, hearthealthy recipes that encourage consumers to continue to incorporate beef into their weekly routines to reach their health goals. These ads will reach nearly 600,000 consumer impressions across the state throughout the month. Over the past few years, the federation of state beef councils has been reaching doctors directly in their offices with educational materials on beef’s role in health. Each time, a post-program evaluation shows that doctors are more likely to recommend beef after reading the materials. The second week of February, we will send 100 Strong Minds, Strong Bodies Healthcare Provider Toolkits to physicians in Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green and Northern Kentucky. This new program focuses in on school-age children and adolescents – a demographic that’s not getting enough of the important nutrients found in beef. Knowing that parents turn to their family physicians/ pediatricians for trusted advice on nutrition, NCBA developed an evidencebased toolkit to help doctors with these conversations. Materials in this new toolkit will include: MyPlate Counseling Tool: A laminated teaching tool that shows how beef fits into MyPlate and outlines beef’s 10 essential nutrients.

Patient Handouts: A fact sheet for parents with tips on how to build healthy plates with beef, including the recipe for Beef and Egg Breakfast Mugs. Dear Health Professional Letter: An educational piece directed to the doctors with additional facts on beef’s role in health. Beef gets caught in the crosshairs of the healthy diet debate all too often. While we all know beef is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, how does the beef industry continue to appeal to an ever-evolving consumers outlook on health? We meet them where they are with relevant and accurate information, whether that be through a digital ad on the food networks website or in the doctor's office with their health care provider. BEEF IN A HEART-HEALTHY DIET

WHY EAT LEAN BEEF?

SCIENCE SUPPORTS IT!

There are over 20 scientific studies that support the role of lean beef in a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle.1 For example, the Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet study demonstrated that subjects who ate 4-5.4 ounces of lean beef and followed a DASH-style dietary pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy were able to maintain normal cholesterol levels.2 Another clinical trial found that following Mediterranean-style, healthy dietary pattern incorporating lean beef can reduce heart disease risk factors, including total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure.3

NUTRIENTS YOU NEED

Besides being known as a protein powerhouse, lean beef provides 9 essential nutrients, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins, 5 which support good health in many ways, from brain function and immune system support to energy metabolism and bone health.

FUN FACT Both beef and chicken have a similar amount of protein per serving. However, you’d have to eat 8 oz of chicken to get the same amount of iron you’d get in 3 oz of beef! You’d need to eat nearly 7 times more chicken (20 oz) to meet the amount of zinc that 3 oz of beef provides! 5

SAY YES TO HEALTH!

Maintaining a healthy weight is one important aspect of cardiovascular health. Current research, such as the recent Beef WISE study, shows that the nutrients in lean beef, like high-quality protein, can help satisfy hunger and support healthy weight management.5

TAKE IT WITH (ONLY) A GRAIN OF SALT

The fact that lean beef is naturally low in sodium is great news for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Beef’s savory flavor, rich aroma, and tender mouthfeel make it simple to enjoy without added salt.

BEEF KNOWS HOW TO TAKE A “COMPLEMENT”

Beef is a flavorful, satisfying complement to other foods that make up a heart-healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy, and whole grains.6 Check out our American Heart Association® certified recipes for other delicious and creative ways to combine lean beef varieties with other heart-healthy foods.

TIPS FOR ADDING LEAN BEEF TO YOUR HEART-HEALTHY DIET

● Be sure to choose lean beef at the meat counter by selecting cuts with “round” or “loin” in the name (e.g., sirloin, tenderloin, top round, eye of round). When choosing ground beef, look for “lean” or “extra lean”, 93% lean or higher (if you purchase 90% lean or lower, be sure to strain/rinse it after browning).

● Keep portion size in mind. A sensible and satisfying 3 ounce serving of cooked lean beef is about the size of a deck of cards.

● Prepare lean beef in healthy ways – broiling, roasting, poaching, or grilling. Be sure to trim away any visible fat from cooked beef, and quickly chill beef juices after cooking for ease of separating the hardened fat (and add the remaining juice to stews, soups, or gravy).

● Instead of using salt, add flavor with onions, garlic, herbs, spices, citrus, and vinegars. Minimize processed meats like deli slices, sausage, and hot dogs (or select low sodium options).

● Enjoy lean beef as a complement to other heart-healthy foods like vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, lentils, and fruits. Scan the QR codes below to try these American Heart Association certified heart-healthy recipes or explore

BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com to check out the full collection.

BEEF POT ROAST WITH CIDER GRAVY AND MAPLE SWEET POTATOES BEEF CONFETTI TACO SALAD

1. McNeill SH. Inclusion of red meat in healthful dietary patterns. Meat Sci 2014;98:452-460. 2. Roussell MA, et al. Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet study: effects on lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:9-16. 3. O’Connor LE, et al. A Mediterranean-style eating pattern with lean, unprocessed red meat has cardiometabolic benefits for adults who are overweight or obese in a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2018;108:33-40. 4. Sayer RD, et al. Equivalent reductions in body weight during the Beef WISE Study: beef’s role in weight improvement, satisfaction and energy.

Obes Sci Pract 2017;3:298-310. 5. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. (Number: 13364). 6. American Heart Association. Heart Healthy Lifestyle. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living. Accessed 12.16.21 7. Beef Research. 2021. Quick Stat Calculations – Sustainability Research: Statistics on U.S. Improvements in Beef Production and Emission

Intensity. https://www.beefresearch.org/programs/beef-sustainability 8. Fadel JG. Anim Feed Sci Technol 79:255-268;CAST,1999. 9. Rotz et al. 2019 Ag Systems.169 (Feb):1-13.