Healthiest cuts of beef

Beef has received a lot of bad press in recent years, which was bad news for all the beef lovers of the world. If you’re making healthy changes in your life and want beef to be a part of those changes, you should know that not all beef is created equal and there are some cuts that are healthier than others. Here are some things to consider when looking for the healthiest cuts of beef.

Organic and grass fed

Before discussing the healthiest cuts it is important to discuss organic and grass fed beef. Some of the practices that are used to raise beef can certainly be considered unhealthy. Growth hormones, for example, are among the most worrisome.

If your budget can be stretched to allow for grass-fed, certified organic beef, this is one of your healthiest options. Grass fed beef is considerably leaner, which lowers the fat content. On the other hand, fat is what gives beef its lusciousness and it requires careful cooking to not lose that when the fat is lowered.

When purchasing beef, according to the Mayo Clinic, one of the important things to look for is the word “lean.” The wording is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and must meet certain standards. The USDA defines a lean cut of beef as a 3.5-ounce serving that contains less than:

• 10 grams total fat
• 4.5 grams saturated fat
• 95 milligrams cholesterol
• Extra lean is defined as having less than:
• 5 grams total fat
• 2 grams saturated fat
• 95 milligrams cholesterol

You can let your supermarket help you find the leanest cuts of beef, especially ground beef. There are also 29 cuts of beef that have been given the OK to be called lean or extra lean. The good news is, most of these 29 cuts are favorites that beef lovers are eating already. They include eye of the round, both steaks and roasts, top and bottom round roasts and steaks, sirloin roasts and steaks, and even the chuck shoulder pot roast. If you didn’t see your favorite in this brief list check out this website for the complete list. Chances are your favorites are on it.

How you cook your beef will also determine how healthy it is. Even with the fattest cuts, grilling or using any cooking method that allows the fat to drip away from the meat will keep the fat percentage lower.