Highlighting successful programs of NCBA as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff .

MOST AMERICANS EAT BEEF WITHIN DIETARY GUIDELINES

U . S . beef farmers and ranchers do more than anyone to invest in beef nutrition research and to encourage enjoyment of beef in a way that aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans . Across the country , people are looking for healthier ways to eat , and they are choosing beef as a source of protein and other vitamins and minerals because it is a delicious food that is part of many cultural ways of eating . Strong science supports the flexibility to enjoy beef as the protein of choice and empowers Americans to choose beef in a wider variety of healthy , sustainable dietary patterns .

Despite the scientific evidence that beef can play a role in a healthy lifestyle , there is a common misconception that Americans overconsume beef . In fact , recent Beef Checkoff-funded research shows that most Americans are eating beef within Dietary Guidelines . 3 The study ’ s results suggest beef is not overconsumed by the majority of Americans , and dietary guidance to limit or reduce beef intake could be viewed as not being evidence-based and could exacerbate the growing nutrient deficiencies in America .

Although nearly 70 % of Americans eat beef at least once per week 1 , beef consumption has declined in at-risk populations , such as the disadvantaged , pregnant , young and aging , creating nutrient gaps and deficiencies . 3 Nutrient-dense beef can help fill those gaps , providing iron , zinc , protein and B-vitamins . 2 , 4-9 In addition , more than 65 % of fresh beef cuts sold at the grocery store meet government guidelines for lean , 10 , 11 and numerous randomized controlled trials consistently show that when beef is included in healthy dietary patterns , it supports cardiometabolic health , and reduces the risk of chronic disease . 12-16

New evidence recently published in the research journal , Obesity , also adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of higher protein diets , including their impact on supporting weight loss and improving Type 2 Diabetes ( T2D ) status . The study found that a balanced diet higher in protein ( 40 % protein of total energy ) and a diet with moderate protein ( 21 % protein of total energy ), combined with regular exercise , are both effective in reversing T2D factors by supporting glucose control , weight loss , and improvements in fat mass and lean body mass percentages . 17 Taste plays a role as well , and people are more likely to maintain a healthy diet if it is also satisfying and enjoyable . This study shows that people can continue to include fresh lean beef

( four or more times per week ), which is many Americans ’ preferred protein food , as part of diets that effectively support weight loss .

The National Cattlemen ’ s Beef Association ( NCBA ), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff , continues to invest in nutrition research that provides scientific evidence beef can be part of a healthy lifestyle , and provides the basis for comments which are submitted to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee .

Every five years , the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health and Human Services partner to review the scientific evidence directing nutrition policy , federal nutrition programs , and what health professionals recommend to their patients . NCBA ’ s nutrition team stays involved in the process by conducting relevant and high-quality research to feed into the pipeline of evidence used to advise the scientific report for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , in addition to submitting written and oral comments for consideration .

Nutrition research continues to be the foundation for Beef Checkoff-funded outreach to consumers and health professionals , helping to keep beef as the protein of choice in a healthy lifestyle . For more information , visit www . BeefResearch . org .

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