Wait a minute beef is OK to eat and keep my heart healthy?
Yes, you read this correctly. No longer taboo for healthy, active lifestyles, nutrient-rich lean beef such as top sirloin steak can be enjoyed again without guilt. In fact, top sirloin meets the American Heart Association certification as a lean cut of beef and heart-healthy choice. The AHA Heart-Check certification is one of the most trusted nutrition logos and claims on a food label.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University reported that the BOLD (Beef in an Optimal Diet) study showed adding a daily serving of nutrient-packed lean beef to a heart-healthy diet could lower the risk of heart disease by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
A three-ounce serving of lean sirloin (about the size of your smartphone) has about 150 calories plus the Daily Value (DV) of these nutrients:
Protein 38% (for muscle growth and repair).
Vitamin B12 44% (important for brain health).
Selenium 40% (protects cells from damage).
Zinc 38% (strengthens the immune system).
According to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, beef is the number one source of protein, zinc and Vitamin B12. It is the number two source for selenium and number three source for iron.
Protein in beef promotes the feeling of satiety or fullness longer than simple carbohydrates. This means that, for people trying to curb their calories for weight loss, type II diabetes or other health reasons, eating a three-ounce serving of top sirloin in a meal not only provides important nutrients and energy but it helps keep a person from feeling hungry for a longer period of time.
Here are some tips and reminders for preparing your delicious beef sirloin;
Its not necessary to bring beef to room temperature before cooking. This practice does not provide any flavor or cooking advantage. For food safety reasons, its best to cook meat straight from the refrigerator to keep bacteria levels at a minimum.
When stir-frying sirloin, partially freeze the steak prior to preparation. It will slice more easily into thin, equal-thickness strips.
Pat steaks dry with paper towels before pan-searing to get better browning that seals in the juices. When grilling or broiling, use tongs rather than a meat fork. The fork tines will pierce the steak, causing the flavorful juices to seep out while tongs will not cause this.
Many recipes using sirloin steak are quick and easy. Enjoy the powerful health benefits of lean beef!
Tracey Shaffer, RD, LD, is a Hy-Vee dietitian at the Blue Springs location. The information provided should not be construed as professional medical advice. Email her at tshaffer@hy-vee.com.
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Tracey Shaffer: Beef can be part of a heart-healthy diet - Moberly Monitor Index
