Trim is in!
"Lean Canadian beef is a nutritious choice," says Lisa Mina, a Registered Dietitian with the Beef Information Centre. "We're pleased to find that the majority of Canadians are in the habit of trimming their beef, either before and/or after cooking. It's a practice we've long encouraged, as trimming has a major impact on the fat content of both raw and cooked cuts."
According to new beef nutrient analyses conducted by an independent laboratory, and supported by a government-funded grant, trimming practices can make a significant difference, resulting in a total fat reduction of up to 35%. "For example, if you cooked a sirloin steak that had 1/8-inch external fat, and trimmed it of all visible fat, you would reduce the fat content by one-third," says Mina.
This new nutrient data also show that the fat content of lean beef compares favourably to chicken without the skin - with most cuts of beef having significantly higher amounts of vitamin B12, iron and zinc. And almost half of the total fat in lean beef is in the form of monounsaturated fatty acids, the "good" fat, found in olive oil.
"Our updated nutrient data show that a cooked, lean only serving of Canadian beef is a source of 14 essential nutrients, including high quality protein," says Mina. "We're also pleased that eight cuts of beef, trimmed of outside fat, along with both Lean and Extra Lean Ground Beef, qualify for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's Health Check program, a food education program that helps Canadians make healthy choices based on Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating."
Consumers can dish up healthy lean beef meals with recipes from the new resource, Lean Beef: Healthy Recipes, Healthy Living. The booklet has deliciously simple, lean beef recipes developed by the Beef Information Centre and reviewed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation's dietitians. Slow-Roasted Beef with Roasted Ratatouille takes advantage of roasting both the vegetables and the meat at the same time, making two different meals from one. By making a big batch of steamed rice or couscous to go with the roast, consumers can use what's left to create the Mediterranean Wrap recipe the next day.
"Eating smart doesn't mean giving up what you love," says Mina. "Like the delicious taste of lean Canadian beef. It has goodness in every bite."
