Grillin' and Chillin' on Father's Day: The Buzz on Beef, Part 1

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Father’s Day is around the corner and nothing says celebration like a backyard grill and chill. Do you plan on firing up the grill for Dad? What do you plan to serve? The most popular items to grill include steak, chicken, burgers, hot dogs and pork chops. Even with the big push to eat more whole grains, fruit and vegetables, beef still ranks right up there as a favorite food for many men.

From a nutrition standpoint, beef is a rock star. It’s a good to excellent source of nine nutrients some of which include protein, vitamin B12, zinc, iron and selenium. A three-ounce portion of lean beef or about the size of your palm (give or take an ounce or two) provides you with more than 10 percent of the Daily Value of these nine nutrients. For example, protein is part of your muscle building machinery while zinc helps to keep your immune system healthy and to heal wounds. The iron in beef is easily absorbed and carries oxygen in the blood to cells and muscles. It helps prevent fatigue.

When you’re looking for skinny beef cuts, round and loin are two words you want to remember. These key words tell you that a cut of beef is lean. For example, skinny cuts of beef would include top round and bottom round, sirloin and tenderloin (also called filet mignon or petite filet mignon depending on the portion size). All of these cuts are as lean as a skinless chicken thigh.

Buy ground beef that is 90% lean or higher or choose ground sirloin and ground round…again notice the key words sirloin and round. If your Dad enjoys a good steak on special occasions, there are lean, tasty and healthy cuts available.