The Benefits of Ground Beef

I have learned ground beef is a great way to ensure I have enough protein in my diet. You may not realize there are many important minerals and vitamins in ground beef. A lot of my favorite meals are made using ground beef including lasagna, meatballs and hamburgers. There is nothing like enjoying a delicious dinner that is actually healthy.

I also realize there can be a lot of unsaturated fats and calories in ground beef. If you consume too much red meat, there are potential health risks you should consider. The secret is consuming ground beef in moderation. Managing the size of your portions is also very important.

I found ground beef nutrition facts from the USDA. The information below is for three ounces of 85 percent lean, cooked ground beef with no added sodium or fat browned in a pan.

• Calories: 218
• Fiber: 0g
• Sodium: 76mg
• Sugars: 0g
• Fat: 13g
• Protein: 24g
• Carbohydrates: 0g

Fats:

A lot of ground beef calories come from fat. If you cook a three-ounce serving of lean ground beef, there are 13 grams of fat. Five grams is saturated fat. According to the American Heart Association, you should limit your saturated fat consumption to between five and six percent of your daily calories. This means if you are consuming a 2,000 calorie per day diet, you can have roughly 13 grams of saturated fat.

A good example is a traditional hamburger between four and six ounces. Each burger patty you eat would have between 6.7 and 10 grams of saturated fat. Ground beef also has healthier fats such as 0.4 grams of polyunsaturated fat and six grams of monounsaturated fat. I consider hamburger calories worth every bite.

Vitamins and Minerals:

One of the best sources of zinc, iron, carnitine, selenium and B vitamins you can find is beef.

Protein:

Ground beef offers you 22 grams of protein for every three-ounce serving. This makes beef a good protein source.

Ground Beef Varieties

The fat profile for grass-fed beef seems to be healthier than meat from cattle consuming soy and corn feed. This is due to the beneficial fatty acids. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find much in the way of published research regarding the health benefits for grass-fed beef.

You can purchase ground beef in a variety of lean/fat ratios. Some beef is 97 percent lean with just three percent fat, while 70 percent lean ground beef contains 30 percent fat. You need to adjust your fat and calorie content accordingly. The information below is for three ounces of broiled ground beef and comes from the USDA.

• 97 percent lean has 130 calories, 1.9 grams of saturated fat and 3.8 grams of total fat.
• 90 percent lean has 130 calories, 3.9 grams of saturated fat and 10 grams of total fat.
• 80 percent lean has 235 calories, 5.8 grams of saturated fat and 15 grams of total fat.
• 70 percent lean has 235 calories, 6.2 grams of saturated fat and 16 grams of total fat.

Boosting Your Immune System:

Beef contains numerous B vitamins including B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and B12. These vitamins combined with the zinc in ground beef help you maintain a healthy immune system. You need to consume B vitamins because your body is unable to produce or store them.

Building Cells:

Your body requires protein for biological processes in your body. Protein helps you build muscles, skin, bones, blood and cartilage. The selenium found in beef is required for DNA synthesis.

Replenishing Iron Stores:

You are unable to make red blood cells without iron. There are two types of dietary iron, heme and non-heme. Heme comes from animal proteins including beef and is easier for your body to use.

Supporting Hormone Production:

Niacin is a B vitamin your body needs for the proper function of numerous systems such as producing sex hormones. Selenium is required for your thyroid function.

Allergies and Health Risks

You can be allergic to ground beef. If you have a meat allergy you can experience the following symptoms.

• Itchy skin
• Asthma
• Hives
• Headaches

Anaphylaxis can result in severe cases. There are tests your doctor can perform to determine if you have a meat allergy. Your physician can also help you manage your allergies. There is a link between diets including a lot of red meat and health and cardiovascular issues including a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

These risks are applicable for all kinds of red meat but become worse for processed red meats including sausages and lunch meat. Physicians recommend limiting the amount of processed and red meat in your diet.

How to Store?

Ground beef can be exposed to foodborne bacteria due to the grinding process. The recommendation of the USDA is to store your ground beef at a minimum of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I always freeze ground beef within two days. You can destroy any harmful bacteria by cooking your ground beef to a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit for the internal temperature.

You should not cook your ground beef partially because bacteria can not only survive but multiply as well. Follow safe practices when you handle food including regularly washing your hands, utensils and surfaces. Refrigerate your ground beef quickly once cooked. You can store ground beef in your refrigerator for three to four days. You can store cooked and frozen ground beef for approximately four months.