Drawing attention to the leading cause of death among U.S. adults, the president has officially proclaimed February as American Heart Month. Every year heart disease takes the lives of hundreds of Americans in the North Texas community. Simple diet changes, like incorporating low-fat, lean beef choices, can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Luckily, Dallas-based co-op Chisholm Trail Longhorn Beef has introduced new nutritional labels for its all-natural, heart-healthy cuts of lean beef.
“With Chisholm Trail beef, customers get the irreplaceable, genuine beef taste everyone loves without sacrificing quality for better health,” said Mike Crawford, Chisholm Trail Longhorn Beef partner. “Studies have continued to prove that eating lean cuts of all-natural beef can not only reduce bad cholesterol levels, but also play an important role in dieting by providing nutrient-rich, satisfying meat sources that are good for the heart and can be enjoyed every day, guilt-free.”
The American Heart Association recommends reducing saturated fat in meat and poultry by consuming lean cuts of meats to manage blood-cholesterol levels, which reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. The new nutrition labels for Chisholm Trail products, which can now be found on all its meat packaging for families to use when meal-planning, list the number of calories, grams of fat, grams of protein and heart-healthy omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids in each serving, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
“With so many variations of meat products on the market, you just can’t find hamburger meat or a cut of steak that is as healthy for you, while still providing great flavor, like you can with Chisholm Trail beef,” said Crawford. “The nutrition labels on our new packaging support this, as we continue to provide families the very best and highest grade of fresh and tasty red meat available in the area.”
Beef from grain-fed cattle has more harmful fatty acids and is higher is cholesterol than those that are grass fed, as well as lower levels of vitamins and healthy antioxidants like protein, iron, vitamins B6 and B12, zinc and selenium – all vital to a sound cardiovascular system. At only 86 calories per 3-ounce serving, 9 grams of fat and 49 milligrams of cholesterol, a lean, pasture-raised flat iron steak and other longhorn beef products serve as healthy alternatives to chicken, turkey, lamb and venison, and contain fewer calories, less fat and less cholesterol per serving than these options. The hormone-free, stress-free environments in which the cattle are raised make for healthier meat options and responsible, sustainable agricultural practices.
During American Heart Month, as well as throughout the year, heart-healthy Chisholm Trail Longhorn Beef is available for purchase both online and in stores at several locations throughout Texas. To learn more about Chisholm Trail Longhorn Beef and the nutritional values associated with healthy beef, or for recipes, visit www.eathealthybeef.org.