2007 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo Philadelphia, PA Pennsylvania Convention Center September 29 to October 2, 2007 Choose Well Presentation, presented by Dayle Hayes, MS, RD Appropriate Cooking Methods for the 29 Lean Beef Cuts Lean Philly Cheesesteak Recipe Ground Beef Calculator   Americans love ground beef – and the good news is that lean ground beef is good for them and easier to find too!   Ground beef, the most common way to consume naturally nutrient-rich beef in the United States, is unique because it can differ in lean and fat content at grocery stores.  Now, 95 percent of grocery stores across the country sell ground beef that is 90 percent lean or leaner,[1] so it’s easier than ever to “go lean with protein” as recommended in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) MyPyramid.    America’s beef producers realize the importance of providing complete nutrition information so people can enjoy more lean, nutrient-rich food choices, such as lean ground beef.  To help do this, with support of the beef checkoff, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association worked closely with the USDA to provide consumers with more comprehensive nutrition information on lean ground beef.  By inputting a few key factors into the new Ground Beef Calculator, available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata/GroundBeefCalculator, consumers can determine the full nutritional content, including calories, vitamins and nutrients, for ground beef up to 95 percent lean.   For additional fact sheets with nutrition information for lean ground beef, visit the following links:   Ground Beef Nutrient Comparisons Lean Ground Beef: Low in Fat, High in Nutrients     For recipe suggestions featuring lean ground beef, visit these links:   Beef, Arugula and Spinach Lasagna Cowboy Beef and Black Bean Chili Porcini Mushroom and Beef Bolognese     [1] Final Report for the 2005 National Beef Market Basket Survey, funded by the beef checkoff. The Healthy Beef Cookbook You've heard that beef can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.  But, you may not be confident that you have the know-how to deliver great-tasting, health-promoting lean beef dishes to your dinner table on a regular basis.  The Healthy Beef Cookbook is now available to show you how to use lean beef to add excitement and ease to everything from quick and easy dinners to special occasion entrees.  The nutrition experts at the American Dietetic Association and the beef experts at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (on behalf of the Cattlemen's Beef Board) combined their efforts to produce this compilation of more than 130 delicious recipes, the latest nutrition information, and cooking techniques to create tender, moist, flavorful beef dishes every time.  To order The Healthy Beef Cookbook, visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. To request promotional brochures featuring an order form for the Cookbook, delicious recipes and nutrition information, click here.    New Research on Protein in the Diet and Muscle Synthesis   Sarcopenia is a condition associated with a loss of muscle mass and strength in older individuals. Prevention of this debilitating disease is especially important to ensure people can continue to live well and independently since loss of muscle can decrease stamina, lessen the ability to perform daily tasks and lead to an increased risk of falls and bone fractures.  While there is no single cause, insufficient protein intake may be a key contributor to this condition, which can significantly compromise overall quality of life as we age.  Given the growing baby boomer population, this condition is becoming an increasingly important public health issue.  The August 2007 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition contains a research study, “Aging Does Not Impair the Anabolic Response to a Protein-Rich Meal” that examined the ability of a protein-rich food to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Abstract Consumer Tip Sheet: Lean Protein Can Help People Live Well and Age Vibrantly   Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition The Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition is a partnership that brings together leading scientific researchers, communications experts and agricultural commodities. Our members are composed of 12 food commodity associations that represent the five basic MyPyramid food groups. We are dedicated to advancing scientific and market research to develop tools that make it easier for people to understand and incorporate nutrient-dense foods into their healthy lifestyle. Additionally, we support research to develop science-based and consumer-tested materials for use by health professionals. The Coalition supports the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid and encourages widespread research and educational efforts that help consumers make their calories count more by enjoying nutrient-rich foods first. Click Here to visit the Nurtient Rich Foods Web Site