“If it tastes good, it must be bad for you." We've
certainly heard that often enough, as media reports herald recent
findings that show all our favorite foods are full of hidden
dangers. Actually, eating beef is satisfying because it's so
good for you. Nutritionists are rethinking their warnings about
beef as recent research is turning up impressive results in favor
of choosing beef. Beef contains a power pack of nutrients, including
zinc, iron, protein and many B-vitamins—nutrients that
work as hard as you do every day. The Goodness of Beef
It doesn't matter if you're following a low-fat or low-carb
diet, or maintaining your weight by healthfully eating a variety
of good foods, beef should be an integral part of your dietary
habits. In addition to its savory flavor and eating enjoyment,
a 3 ounce portion of steak provides half the essential protein
the body needs in an entire day.
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Beef also contains significant amounts of some of the most
important vitamins and minerals the body requires. Among them
are:
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As you can see, as nutritionists learn more and more about the
inner workings of the body, and the role proteins, vitamins,
and minerals play in its healthy function, beef continues to
be among the most nutrient-dense foods available to us. The Need for Sensible Exercise
Each year, the American Dietetic Association
celebrates National Nutrition Month® in March. It is
an annual campaign sponsored by the ADA and is designed to
focus attention on the importance
of making informed food choices and developing sound eating
and physical activity habits. The theme of this year’s
campaign is “Calories In, Calories Out” emphasizing
the fact that a healthy eating plan needs to be combined with
a good exercise program to help you stay healthy and even improve
your health.
As reported by the ADA, diet trends often focus on one food
or one nutrient, promising it will be the magic bullet for
losing weight and keeping it off forever. But when registered
dietitians analyze a weight-loss plan, invariably it turns
out that the key is reducing your intake of calories and increasing your physical activity.
"There is no panacea for weight control,” says registered
dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson Cathy
Nonas. “It’s all about the calories you put into
your body versus the calories you burn. Eat a balanced diet
with mostly fruits, vegetables and whole grains as your base.
Accompany this with daily physical activity to help your body
burn those calories so you can maintain a healthier weight.”
Nonas adds: “Budget yourself, just like you would your
finances. If you overspent in the calorie department one day,
try to make up for it in the exercise department the next.
Over time, if you save up calories, you are able to have that
once-in-a-while splurge and not feel like you’ve blown
your calorie budget.”
The American Dietetic Association’s Complete Food and
Nutrition Guide provides great calorie-burning activities to
do per hour by body weight:
| Activity |
Calories for 120 pounds
|
Calories for 170 pounds
|
| Basketball |
330
|
460
|
| Bicycling (10 mph) |
220
|
310
|
| Bowling |
165
|
230
|
| Hiking |
330
|
460
|
| Horseback Riding |
220
|
310
|
| Jogging |
385
|
540
|
| Mowing Lawn |
300
|
425
|
| Running (10 mph) |
880
|
1,230
|
| Swimming |
330
|
460
|
| Walking Briskly |
220
|
310
|
| Weight Training |
165
|
230
|
Other Resources and Links Please use the resources below to further your understanding
of nutrition, wellness and fitness.
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