Written By:  Joan Ruskamp

Some of you might remember the slogan Wendy’s used in 1984 with Clara Peller exclaiming “Where’s the beef?” As a woman that loves to eat beef I am asking that question in regards to the new recommendations to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines. The new recommendations are not recognizing that beef can play an important role in a healthy diet.

 I have to admit I have not always appreciated the nutrient dense food that beef is. When I was taking aerobic dance classes in the early 1980’s I was eating salads and avoided eating meat. I had the misperception that meat made people fat. I struggled to be satisfied with the foods I was eating which meant I usually reached for sugar loaded snacks to get me by thus sabotaging any attempt at weight loss. I gradually came to appreciate the nutrients in calories and how important that is when maintaining or trying to lose weight.

Ironically, no pun intended, beef is quite loaded with nutrients important to good health. If you are concerned about building muscles, maintaining brain function, having a strong immune system, utilizing oxygen more effectively, increasing your energy, protecting cells, supporting your nervous system, maintain strong bones and teeth and help in converting food to energy than you would benefit from keeping beef in your diet.

If you compare beef to other foods you will see how much you would have to eat to get the same amount of just one nutrient versus the big ten in beef. A 3-4 ounce serving of beef is about the size of your iPhone and that will give you those top ten nutrients including HALF your daily recommended amount of protein needed. A four ounce burger at around 170 calories paired with tomatoes, lettuce and cheese is a great alternative to a sugar cookie that has the same amount of calories and very little nutritional value.

As a mom on a farm that raises cattle, I was fortunate that our children were able to enjoy beef as part of their diet. Our children were active, healthy and have become successful in a variety of career paths. I am also active in the care of our cattle on our farm and have come to appreciate the role beef plays in agriculture.

Where’s the beef? It’s here and I hope it’s on your plate tonight! And here is a great recipe to make it easy to love beef….BBQ style. As May is Beef Month, we have a lot to celebrate with beef production being so important to Nebraska, and it being healthy for your family and you!

{ BBQ Beef Sandwiches }

Ingredients

• 3-5 lb beef eye of round roast
• Mike’s Own Seasoning (made in West Point, Nebraska but found at numerous locations)
• Or combine Lowry’s seasoning salt, Accent seasoning, Lowry’s garlic salt with parsley
• BBQ Sauce
• Buns

Directions

1. Generously rub the seasoning onto the beef eye of round.
2. Preheat your grill around 300 degrees. Do not put the beef on direct heat (read how to indirect grill here).
3. Keep on the grill until the internal temperature is just to 140 degrees. This usually takes around 2-3 hours.
4. Check often and turn the round if needed. Make sure beef is not overcooked. (Works great on a Traeger or wood pellet grill – but works on a gas/coal grill as well).
5. Take off the grill as soon as it reaches 140 degrees. Let sit five minutes before slicing.
6. Slice and serve immediately with your favorite BBQ sauce and on a bun or without.

Happy Beef Month!

CommonGround is a farmer-driven, volunteer program created to clear up misconceptions and enhance the trust and awareness among urban consumers for today’s agriculture. CommonGround serves as a partnership between the nation’s soybean and corn checkoffs. To learn more about CommonGround, visit www.findourcommonground.com, and learn more about the farm women involved in CommonGround Nebraska at www.CommonGroundNebraska.com.