By Riggin Stonebarger
Beef has been part of the American diet for generations, and for good reason. It is one of the most nutrient-dense foods we can put on the plate.
A three-ounce serving of beef provides about 22 grams of complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids the body needs to build and repair muscle, support the immune system and keep everything working the way it should. Beef is also an excellent source of vitamin B12, zinc, iron, selenium and other nutrients that can be harder to get in sufficient amounts from plant foods alone.
That doesn’t mean every beef product is created equal. There is an important difference between fresh beef and heavily processed meats, and how you cook it matters too. Lean cuts, sensible portions and avoiding the blackened-to-a-crisp approach are probably good rules of thumb.
The bigger point is one we seem determined to make complicated: beef can absolutely be part of a healthy diet.
And there’s another side to this conversation that matters in cattle country.
The U.S. cattle herd remains near historic lows, while Americans continue to want beef. That combination has driven cattle prices higher and finally given many cow-calf producers some breathing room after years of difficult margins. At the same time, policymakers are debating whether increased imports or efforts to rebuild the domestic herd offer the better long-term answer.
From where I sit, strengthening American cattle production makes a lot of sense. A country that can feed itself is in a stronger position than one increasingly dependent on somebody else to do it.
That means keeping ranch families on the land, maintaining a healthy domestic cattle herd and recognizing that food security starts long before anything reaches the grocery store.
Nutrition debates will continue, as they always do. But beef brings a tremendous amount of nutrients to the table while supporting an industry woven deeply into rural America.
So choose a good cut, don’t burn it to a hockey puck, add a few vegetables if it makes you feel responsible, and enjoy dinner. Eat U.S. beef.
Photo Credit: Jerimyah Johnson