Red meat has come under fire from several pundits due to beefs high content of fat and cholesterol. It is important to note that not all beef is high in fat and cholesterol. In fact, there are many options of extra lean and lean cuts of beef that can benefit you in your diet and your body sculpting goals.
Grass Fed Beef
Before discussing extra lean and lean cuts of beef it is extremely important to know what is going into the cattle population in terms of food. Corn is one of the most popular feeds given to cattle to consume.
Farmers elect to use corn for several reasons. One is that it is cheap. The government has subsidized the corn industry making it readily available at very low prices. Corn also fattens the cattle up quickly. If a farmer can fatten their cattle up quickly, at reduced prices they will be to sell the cattle quickly at inflated prices thus getting a better return on their investment. For our diets, this is not a good thing.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Many people do not know is that corn was never meant to be fed to cattle populations. Cattle populations are meant to eat grass and hay. This is where our cattle population gets their beneficial nutrients, not from corn. These are the healthiest cattle populations on the planet. You should always attempt to find grass fed beef.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”3401″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1509577250446{padding-bottom: 24px !important;}”]
Anti-Hormone Beef
The other thing to look for prior to discussing extra lean and lean cuts of beef is what is put into the cattle population in terms of hormones. There are many methods available to give hormones to a cattle population. There are many studies, some for and some against. My take on it is our ancestors didn’t need growth hormones or corn to be fed to our cattle, why do we? Stick to beef not polluted by hormones. Let them grow naturally.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]You will immediately notice the difference if you can fine a cut of beef that is grass fed and not polluted with hormones. The meat is more tender, tastier and, most importantly, better for you. These cuts of meats will be more expensive but as a good friend of mine once said, “pay the farmer now or pay the doctor later.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”3402″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1509577301330{padding-bottom: 24px !important;}”]
Extra Lean Beef
Extra lean beef is the healthiest cut of beef you can purchase. Extra lean means that the cut of beef has less than 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol. What this also means is that these cuts of beef are typically tougher cuts of beef. This means that we may need to use a tenderizer to soften up the meat to make it easier to eat. Here are our top three cuts of extra lean beef:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]
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[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”3403″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]2
[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”3404″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]3
[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”3405″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1509577457598{padding-bottom: 24px !important;}”]- Eye of Round Roast/Steak
Eye of round steak is the leanest of cuts. A 3oz serving of eye of round steak contains only 3 grams of fat and 25 grams of protein. This cut of beef is best roasted. - Sirloin Tip Side Steak
This cut of beef is very similar to eye of round. A 3oz serving of sirloin tip side steak contains 4 grams of fat and 25 grams of protein. This cut of beef is best grilled. - Top Round Roast/Steak
The top round roast/steak is at the top of the extra lean category of fat with 5 grams of fat but it also boasts 30 grams of protein per 3oz serving. This cut of beef is best braised.
Lean Beef
Lean beef is also a healthy cut of beef like extra lean beef but it has slightly more fat. These cuts of beef cannot have more than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol. These cuts of beef typically taste better and are more tender than the extra lean cuts of beef. Here are our top three cuts of lean beef:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]
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[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”3406″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]2
[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”3407″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]3
[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”3408″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]- Beef Brisket
This is common in the BBQ food industry but it is actually very good without all the sauce. A 100 gram serving of beef brisket has 8 grams of fat and 33 grams of protein. This cut of beef is best braised. - Sirloin Tip Center Roast/Steak
Another lean cut of steak the sirloin tip center steak has 7 grams of fat and 27 grams of protein. This cut of beef is best grilled. - Flank Steak (Skirt Steak)
This is a great choice for various dishes including burrito bowls and fajitas. This made our list because of its versatility. A flank stake has 10 grams of fat and 22 grams of protein. This cut of beef is best broiled or grilled.
Takeaways
No matter what anyone tells you, there is a place for beef in our diets (unless you’re vegan but that’s a different story). Beef can be healthy for you when you do your research, purchase high quality mean, and the right cuts. Look for grass fed beef, not pumped full of hormones and that fall into our category of extra lean or lean. These protein packed dishes will help contribute to your goals of glorious gains.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
