7 surprising facts about beef and a heart healthy diet

Eating for a healthy heart and enjoying your favorite foods like beef don’t have to be at odds with one another. Lean beef helps support a strong body by providing important nutrients to build and replenish muscles and, among all the muscles in your body, your heart is arguably the most important. Keep it healthy by finding a balance of diet and exercise, the two cornerstones for building a strong, healthy heart. When it comes to diet, the American Heart Association recommends eating a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups for a heart-healthy diet.1 A heart-healthy diet includes an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein.

Here are seven surprising facts about beef and a heart-healthy diet.

1. LEAN AND EXTRA-LEAN CUTS OF BEEF ARE EASY TO FIND

There are 9 extra-lean beef cuts that carry the American Heart Association's Heart-Check certification for foods that fit in an overall heart-healthy dietary pattern. These extra-lean cuts of beef have less than 5 grams of total fat, less than 2 grams of saturated fat and less than 95 mg of cholesterol per 3.5-ounce serving. They include popular, tasty favorites like extra lean ground beef (96% lean, 4% fat), Bottom Round Steak (USDA Select grade) and Top Sirloin Steak (Boneless, Center Cut, USDA Select grade). We've got you covered with beef recipes certified by the American Heart Association, like this tasty Beef Pot Roast with Cider Gravy and Maple Sweet Potatoes.

Click the photo to find this recipe.

2. A MEDITERRANEAN STYLE EATING PATTERN CAN INCLUDE LEAN BEEF

The Mediterranean diet is one of the most popular eating patterns and is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts/seeds, olive oil and lean meats. It's been shown that intake of red meat in many Mediterranean countries is similar to that of the United States and, in some countries, even more.2 Recent research shows a Mediterranean-style eating pattern that includes lean, unprocessed red meat can support heart health and, in fact, is just as effective at improving certain heart disease risk factors (like blood pressure, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol).

3. BEEF CONTAINS THE SAME TYPE OF HEALTHY FAT FOUND IN AVOCADOS AND OLIVE OIL

• The delicious flavor of a steak is found in the intra-muscular fat called marbling.
• More than half the fatty acids found in beef are monounsaturated fatty acids, the same type of healthy fat found in avocados and olive oil. ^{4, 5}
• Approximately one-third of beef’s saturated fat is stearic acid, the same fat recognized as beneficial in chocolate for its neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels. ^{4, 6, 7, 8}

4. LEAN BEEF IS A PERFECT PARTNER FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Beef and fruit? That’s right. The succulent taste of lean beef is a mouthwatering match for fruits and vegetables. These balanced beef recipes tastefully combine a variety of food groups to achieve the perfect blend of taste, nutrition and simplicity. For quick and nutritious weeknight meals, try the Beef Tenderloin, Cranberry and Pear Salad or the Szechuan Beef Stir Fry.

5. THE PROTEIN IN BEEF PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

One 3-ounce serving of cooked beef provides about 50 percent of the Daily Value (25 grams) of protein, making it an excellent source! Protein plays an important role in weight management by

• increasing satiety (helping you stay full longer)
• helping support strong, lean bodies and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as sarcopenia, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. ^{9, 10, 11, 12}
• offering more protein with the fewest calories when compared to plant proteins like quinoa, peanut butter, black beans and edamame.¹³

6. BEEF PROVIDES BIG NUTRITION IN A SMALL PACKAGE

On average, a 3-ounce serving of cooked beef – about the size of a deck of cards – provides more than 10 essential nutrients and about half the Daily Value for protein in about 175 calories.¹⁴ These essential nutrients include

• zinc, which helps maintain a healthy immune system
• iron, which helps your body use oxygen
• vitamins B6 and B12, which help maintain brain function and give you energy.

When it comes to high-quality proteins, beef provides many nutrients in a smaller serving size than some other choices. For example, you’d have to eat at least 8 ounces of cooked chicken breast to get the same amount of iron in just 3 ounces of cooked beef. ¹⁴ Beef gives you the nutrients your body needs and the taste you love!

7. GRASS-FINISHED AND GRAIN-FINISHED BEEF BOTH CAN FIT INTO A HEART-HEALTHY DIET.

• Grass-finished and grain-finished beef provide similar nutritional benefits.
• All cattle, whether grass- or grain-finished, spend the majority of their lives eating grass.
• While grass-finished beef tends to be a little leaner, both grass-finished and grain-finished beef are natural sources of more than 10 essential nutrients. ¹⁵

If you want to know more about grass-finished beef, grain-finished beef and other beef choices, check out this resource about decoding beef labels.