Capitalizing on Beef’s Nutrition with Consumers  

It's no surprise that improving one's diet is a common resolution people make every New Year's Eve. According to a recent Forbes survey, of the 1,000 people surveyed, 32% of respondents cited improving their diet as their top goal for 2024. Losing weight, improving mental health, and improving fitness also made the top five.¹ Overall, this clearly shows that most people want to live healthier lives going into 2024.   

As such, many restaurants and retailers promote healthier meals and ingredients to capitalize on this trend and boost sales. While fruits and vegetables may be the first category people think of when it comes to healthy foods, beef also plays an important role in a healthy diet. Operators can capitalize on this by knowing the facts about beef nutrition and how to communicate those benefits to consumers.   

BEEF NUTRITION FACTS   

Beef is a nutrient-rich food that supports heart-healthy diets and lifestyles. On average, a 3-oz cooked serving of lean beef has about 170 calories and is a natural source of 10 essential, bioavailable nutrients like protein, B vitamins, iron, and zinc. That same 3 oz. portion will also provide about 25 grams of protein, which is 50% of the recommended daily amount. Additionally, approximately half of beef’s fat is monounsaturated fat, the same heart-healthy fat found in olive oil. ²  The bottom line is all beef cuts can support a heart-healthy diet when enjoyed in sensible portion sizes as part of an overall balanced diet.  

BEEF NUTRITION AND CONSUMERS   

In a recent survey, when consumers were asked to rank what factors go into making a protein choice when eating at home or away, nutrition and protein content consistently ranked among the top 5. In 2023, those levels rose to their highest percentages since tracking began in 2018 .³ With 25 grams of protein per 3oz. portion and 10 essential nutrients, beef can easily satisfy this growing trend in consumers desire to add more protein to their diet.   

Quick tips for promoting the health benefits of beef in retail or on a menu:   

• When choosing cuts choose the leanest cuts available, trim visible fat, and use cooking methods like broiling, roasting, or poaching and pairing them with fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.   
• For lean ground beef, choose 90% or higher.  
• Help shoppers easily find lean cuts with a tip to choose cuts with "round" or "loin” in the name. Examples include sirloin, tenderloin, or eye round roast.   
•  Consumers are looking for more reasons to enjoy beef in a balanced diet. Highlight beef’s health benefits when connecting with consumers by spotlighting beef’s leaness and protein levels. These two attributes resonate the most with consumers.   
•  More than 65% of beef cuts sold at retail meet government standards for lean, and 17 of the top 25 most popular cuts sold at retail are lean. Among those cuts are perennially popular and widely consumed beef products like Sirloin Steak and Tenderloin. ⁴ 

Visit BeefItsWhatsforDinner.com for a collection of 20 heart-healthy recipes certified by the American Heart Association, including Indian Beef Flank Steak and Rice, juicy Beef brisket with savory carrots and dried plums, and more. These recipes can serve as an inspiration or ‘role model’ for further ideas for building nutrient-dense, healthy plates with beef by using a variety of cuts in a variety of cuisines.     

Other Resources from BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com  

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