Beef can be good for budget, diet
By Kati Roeder, RD, LMNT, Nebraska Beef Council Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Some food for thought from the Nebraska Beef Council
Many consumers may make the mistake of skipping specific foods or food groups to try and save money. That that can be a costly decision when it comes to good nutrition. Healthy foods like lean beef don’t have to bust the family budget. It’s all in how you count your pennies - and your nutrients.
High quality protein, like lean beef, may at times seem pricey. However, remember that beef is priced per pound, not per serving. If you pay $2.79 for 1 pound of ground beef, you are actually paying 69 cents per serving, because 1 pound yields four 4-oz portions.
“High food prices these days are due to lot of factors consumers can’t really control. So they’re looking for ideas on how to serve nutritious family meals in an economical way,” said Kaiti Roeder, RD and Director of Nutrition and Education at the Nebraska Beef Council. “Beef fits the bill and is always a family-pleaser.”
Here’s some “food for thought” from the Nebraska Beef Council.
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines strongly encourage Americans to consume a diet among all five food groups.
Choose first from nutrient-rich foods that deliver the most essential vitamins and minerals for the least calories.
Remember that complete proteins, like lean beef, contain all the essential amino acids and are highly digestible. High quality animal protein is 95 percent digestible, whereas vegetable protein, found in foods like legumes, is about 70 percent digestible.
So, in terms of dollar value and health benefits, make sure you’re getting what you need and are paying for, considering the cost of food.
Some additional tips:
Plan ahead; shop for specials. Freeze extra purchases. Roasts and steaks can be frozen for six to 12 months; ground beef can be frozen for three to four months.
Consider cuts from the chuck, sirloin and the round for economical family beef meals.
Know the best way to cook the beef you buy. Even less tender cuts offer a delicious eating experience when prepared properly.
Get advice from your local meat market manager or Internet sites such as www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
Prepare once, dine twice. For example, save roast beef leftovers and use them later in the week for beef fajitas to stretch the food dollar further.
For more information, visit www.nebeef.org.
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