The Power of Protein
Welcome to Open Range, I’m Susan Allen. Stay tuned because after the break I’ll check in with our field reporter, Greg Martin for the AgriBeef Minute.
I’m Greg Martin with the Open Range AgriBeef Minute. Protein is an important part of a healthy diet and according to Traci O’Donnell, Executive Director of the Idaho Beef Council, beef is a great way to add it to your diet.
O’DONNELL: What many people don’t understand is that they think that when it comes to their heart and building a heart healthy diet that they need to minimize or reduce red meat from their diet and in fact it’s the opposite that lean beef is naturally nutrient rich and it’s an excellent source of protein
February is American Heart Month and the new dietary guidelines call for 5 to 7 oz. of protein a day.
O’DONNELL: Beef easily fits within those guidelines on a daily basis and many people don’t realize that the average serving of beef at 3oz. is about 150 calories so it’s much lower in calories than most people realize and with that you get over 10 essential nutrients and vitamins which is really important to our health.
O’Donnell says the beef industry has been listening to what the consumers want.
O’DONNELL: The great thing about the beef industry is that we have continues to innovate and develop new items for consumers based upon their needs. When you go to the grocery store it’s not your father’s steak anymore. We have over 30 cuts now, there’s a few new ones that’s been added recently that meet the government guidelines for lean.
I’m Greg Martin and that’s today’s AgriBeef Minute.
SUSAN: Thanks Greg. Don’t forget Greg will be back each Wednesday with the AgriBeef Minute. AgriBeef, Maximizing the Power of Partnership. I’m Susan Allen.
