Beef Fits! From A to Z

Ounce for ounce, beef delivers a nutrition punch, providing many important nutrients in a form easily absorbed and used by the body. Here's an alphabet of reasons why beef fits into a healthy diet.

mino acids. Beef contains all 9 essential amino acids making it an excellent source of complete protein. 12 is an essential vitamin found only in animal products such as beef. B12 is necessary in the production of DNA and the metabolism of all cells. onjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an anticancer compound demonstrated to inhibit cancer, is found in higher concentrations in beef than in other meats. igestibility. Beef is 96% digestible. nergy. its into a healthy eating plan. Canada's Food Guide recommends eating 2 to 3 servings from the Meat and Alternatives Group each day. lutathione, an anti-oxidant found in high concentrations in beef, increases the body's ability to rid itself of free radicals associated with aging, cancer, heart disease and arthritis. amburgers. Enjoy, guilt free. With just 12 grams of fat, a regular hamburger has about half the fat found in chicken nuggets or a fish sandwich. ron, an essential part of the hemoglobin in red blood cells, carries oxygen throughout the body, providing us with energy. Beef is an important source of easily absorbed iron with as much as 23% of iron being absorbed compared to as little as 3% from plant sources. ust 6.4% of fat in the diet comes from beef. 31% of fat in the diet comes from the fats and oils category, those fats added in processing, cooking and at the table. ing of all protein foods. 96% of Canadians enjoy beef regularly. Beef is the top selling item at supermarkets and the most often ordered entrée at foodservice. ean. All cuts of beef, except short ribs, qualify as lean when trimmed of visible fat. That is, they have no more than 10% fat. inerals. Beef is a source of magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus in addition to iron and zinc. The Letter N.

utrient dense. Beef contains many nutrients in relationship to the size of the serving, an important consideration for the small appetites of the young and elderly. rgan meats, leather, gelatin, soap, shampoo, cosmetics, lotions, fabric softeners, lifesaving drugs like insulin and much more. By-products of the beef industry contribute to the quality of Canadian life. rotein is necessary to build and repair body tissues and is essential for all ages. A serving of beef provides twice as much protein as an equal serving of tofu. uick and easy to prepare for a nutritious meal or snack in minutes. educed cholesterol. A serving of sirloin steak has 15% less cholesterol than either a serving of skinless chicken breast or sockeye salmon. tearic acid. Not all saturated fats are "bad". Studies show that stearic acid has a cholesterol lowering effect. Beef is a major source of stearic acid in the diet. hiamine, niacin, riboflavin and B6 help regulate the utilization of energy and promote healthy skin, eyes, nerves, and digestive system. Meat is the major dietary source of these B vitamins. nsaturated fat. Beef has more unsaturated fat than saturated fat. ersatility. Beef fits every menu and pocketbook. holesome. Under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's meat inspection program, beef is randomly tested for antibiotics, pesticides and hormones. The most recent results show no violations in the meat for any of these substances. cellent value. Beef is primarily sold boneless and compares favourably in price to boneless cuts of other meats, poultry and fish. ummy!! inc, an essential trace element, plays a critical role in growth and helps the body resist disease. Unlike the zinc in plant foods, the zinc in beef is easily absorbed by the body.