For anyone who attended the #iheartbeef Twitter Party—or those who missed parts because the conversation moved so quickly—here is a concise recap of the key points and resources shared. If you wanted to join but couldn’t, these highlights will bring you up to speed.
Hosts on Twitter:
@AmericanCW and @BeefAmbassador
Helpful websites and resources:
Beef Nutrition
Beef It’s What’s for Dinner
29 Ways to Love Lean Beef
Interactive Meat Case
How Much to Buy
Recipe Collection
Cow Chow Quiz
Pink Slime Is a Myth
Natural, Grain, or Grass-Fed: Choices of Beef
Key facts and practical tips:
- A 3-ounce serving of lean beef contributes less than 10% of calories on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Visual portion guide: 3–4 ounces is about the size of a deck of cards or a hockey puck.
- Nutrition comparisons: a 3-ounce serving of beef provides more zinc than 13.5 servings of salmon, more vitamin B12 than 7.5 chicken breasts, and more iron than 2¾ cups of spinach.
- To reduce fat in 80% lean ground beef, you can pour 4 cups of hot water over it and drain—this helps remove excess grease.
- Definition of “lean”: per 3-ounce serving, less than 10 g total fat, less than 4.5 g saturated fat, and under 95 mg cholesterol.
- When shopping for lean cuts, look for terms like “Round” or “Loin.”
- Flank is a lean cut—and there are 29 cuts of beef that meet the lean criteria.
- About 65% of all beef muscle cuts commonly available at grocery stores are considered lean.
- Examples of lean options include T-bone, filet/tenderloin, 95% lean ground beef, sirloin, brisket, eye round, top round, and bottom round.
- Beef is most commonly consumed on Memorial Day, followed by the 4th of July and Labor Day.
- Calorie for calorie, beef is nutrient-dense and a strong choice for fueling an active, healthy lifestyle.
Thanks to The Beef Checkoff for sharing these helpful tips and for hosting a lively #iheartbeef Twitter Party. I hope you find these resources and facts useful for meal planning, shopping, and enjoying beef as part of a balanced diet.