ISSUES POLICY
2015 Dietary Guidelines Reaffi rm Beef’s Role in a Healthy Diet
By Richard Thorpe, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association fi rst vice president
O
N JAN. 7, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) and the U.S. Health and Human Ser- vices (HHS) released the fi nal version of the
2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The report comes after the agencies deliberated for more than a year on what constitutes a healthy and balanced diet for American consumers. I am pleased that the new Dietary Guidelines reaf-
fi rm the important role lean beef plays in a healthy dietary pattern. As a physician and rancher from Win- ters, Texas, I can tell you that lean beef is not only delicious — scientifi c research studies have proven time and time again that it is also incredibly healthy. The new guidelines are based on sound science and
confi rm that Americans are, on average, consuming fresh lean meat (including lean beef) at levels consis- tent with the 2015 Dietary Guidelines. When compared calorie-per-calorie to other food sources, many studies and scientifi c evidence shows beef is one of the most naturally nutrient-rich foods. Beef provides 10 nutrients that are essential to a
healthy, active way of life. It includes zinc, which strengthens your immune system to help fi ght against illness. It also contains a high amount of iron to cre- ate red blood cells and keep you from being anemic. If you are lacking energy, you might consider eating more lean beef because it contains B-complex vitamins to boost your metabolism, create energy and maintain brain function. Beef is most known for being a protein-packed food
source. Protein is the building block of all the cells in your body that form and maintain your muscles and bones.
94 The Cattleman February 2016 Additionally, it contains choline to support your
nervous system, selenium to protect blood cells from damage, ribofl avin to convert food to fuel and phos- phorus to build strong bones and teeth. The science proving that beef contains these essential nutrients should make you confi dent in including it or adding it to your plate for a healthy meal. I realize each person is different and must develop a
meal plan that best fi ts their particular dietary needs. No single food group can provide all the nutrients you need daily, so I always recommend my patients prac- tice balance by including fruits and vegetables along with beef. This is why I also encourage Americans to consider the 2015 Dietary Guidelines as they build a diet that best fi ts their needs. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
(TSCRA) appreciates the Congressional leaders who worked to make sure lean meat was included in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines. TSCRA thanks the many ranchers and beef industry
leaders who submitted comments to the USDA and HHS. Your continued efforts were successful in reaffi rming lean beef’s role in the new guidelines. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, TSCRA ap-
preciates the many members and ranchers for providing a product that continues to be included in the Dietary Guidelines. Due to their tireless work, there are now 38 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean meat. This is an impressive number we can all be proud of as cattle raisers, and I know we will only continue to produce a healthy product that should always be included in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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