May 1, 2021

In addition to the beginning of grilling season, May is recognized as Beef Month. To celebrate Beef Month, we’re continuing our Meat Matters series by highlighting the importance of incorporating lean beef in your diet for heart-health.

Dr. Steven Merry, award-winning cardiologist and longtime Wisconsin Hereford breeder strives to end the negative stigma associated with red meat. “Medicine, food, and people are not how they once were 40 years ago when I started as a doctor,” says Dr. Merry. “Lean beef can absolutely be a part of a healthy lifestyle. It is a complete protein, full of vitamins and minerals. Lean beef is a very important part of a heart-healthy diet. The misconception that beef is not healthy is no longer valid in modern health care.”

The Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) Study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, completed by Penn State University showed those “who participated in the BOLD study maintained healthy blood cholesterol levels whiles consuming a dietary pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and beans, with lean beef as the primary protein source.”

Additional research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition presented “individuals incorporating seven-18 ounces of cooked, fresh, lean red meat per week could improve their cardiometabolic disease risk factor profile.” Click here to read the full article.

Beef As Part Of A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

Incorporate lean beef into your lifestyle by following these simple tips:

• Choose lean beef at the meat counter. There are more than 36 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean. A tip for finding lean beef cuts is to look for the terms “round” or “loin” (e.g.: Sirloin, Tenderloin, or Eye of Round).
• Keep portion size in mind. A sensible and satisfying 3 ounces cooked serving of lean beef is about the size of a deck of cards.
• Trim away any visible fat from cooked beef before serving.
• When it comes to lowering cholesterol, small steps can get big results. The American Heart Association recommends eating a variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups. When choosing meats, choose the leanest cuts available, trim visible fat and prepare them in healthy and delicious ways like broiling, roasting or poaching and pairing them with fiber rich vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

  To learn more about each cut and where it comes from, visit our Cuts of Beef page. Visit here to find heart-healthy recipes!