KAITLYN FROM WI BEEF COUNCIL GIVES TIPS ON INCORPORATING BEEF INTO YOUR HEART-HEALTHY DIET

February is American Heart Month, a time to gain awareness of heart disease and make adjustments to your current habits to focus on a more heart-healthy approach. You love beef but you’re not sure if it’s good for you. Kaitlyn Riley-Kesler, Director of Communications and Outreach for the Wisconsin Beef Council, joined the show to explain the benefits of beef and how to incorporate it into your lifestyle. She also shared some yummy recipe ideas that you and your whole family will enjoy (yes, even kiddos)!

Incorporate lean beef into your lifestyle by following these simple tips from the Wisconsin Beef Council:

• Choose lean beef at the meat counter. There are more than 36 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean. A tip for finding lean beef cuts is to look for the terms “round” or “loin” (e.g.: Sirloin, Tenderloin, or Eye of Round à show on magnetic cow with cuts).
• When shopping for ground beef, choose 90% lean or leaner. You can also drain and rinse higher-fat ground beef options before cooking
• Keep portion size in mind. A sensible and satisfying 3-ounce cooked serving of lean beef is about the size of a deck of cards.
• Trim away any visible fat from cooked beef before serving.
• Prepare your beef in healthy and delicious ways like broiling, roasting, or poaching, and pair it with fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
• Instead of using salt, add flavor with onions, garlic, herbs, spices, citrus, and vinegar. Minimize processed meats like deli slices, sausage, and hot dogs (or select low-sodium options).

Visit BeefTips.com for a collection of 20 heart-healthy recipes certified by the American Heart Association. 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.