What is Diamond Lean Beef and Why You Should Choose It

Lean beef can be a nutritious part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation With so many cuts of beef to choose from, it can be tricky to identify the leanest options Diamond Lean Beef aims to make the choice easier by meeting specific guidelines for leanness. Keep reading to learn all about Diamond Lean Beef, why it’s a smart choice, and how to select, prepare and enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.

What is Diamond Lean Beef?

Diamond Lean Beef refers to certain extra lean cuts of beef that meet specific criteria set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) For beef to qualify as “lean”, it must contain less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 35 ounce serving. To be considered “extra lean”, the numbers are even lower – 5 grams of total fat, 2 grams saturated fat, and 95 mg cholesterol per serving [1].

Diamond Lean Beef options not only meet these strict nutritional requirements, but are also proven to be tender and delicious [2]. This makes them an ideal lean protein to incorporate into your routine.

Health Benefits of Choosing Lean Beef

Lean beef, when consumed in moderation, offers some great health perks Here are a few of the top benefits of working this nutritious protein into your diet

• Rich in protein – A 3.5 ounce serving of lean beef provides around 25 grams of protein. Protein is vital for building and repairing muscles and tissues.

• Source of iron – Beef contains heme iron which is more easily absorbed than non-heme iron from plant foods. Iron is crucial for oxygen transport.

• High in B12 – Beef is one of the best sources of vitamin B12, which supports red blood cell production and neurological function.

• Contains zinc – Zinc supports immune function and wound healing. Just 3.5 ounces of lean beef provides over half of the RDA for zinc.

• Nutrient dense – In addition to the nutrients listed above, lean beef is a good source of phosphorus, selenium, niacin, and vitamins B6 and D.

Choosing healthier cuts of beef allows you to enjoy these nutritional benefits while avoiding the extra saturated fat and calories found in fattier varieties.

Why Choose Diamond Lean Beef?

So why opt for Diamond Lean Beef over other lean beef options? Here are some of the main advantages:

• Meets stricter guidelines – Diamond Lean Beef must comply with criteria for extra leanness, not just leanness. This means less total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.

• Carefully verified – Every product bearing the Diamond Lean name is third-party audited to guarantee it lives up to the extra lean claims. You can trust the labels.

• Higher quality – Diamond Lean Beef comes from the highest quality cattle and go through strict inspections to ensure optimal freshness and safety standards are met.

• Delicious taste – Despite being very lean, Diamond Lean Beef maintains excellent tenderness and flavor that can’t be beat.

Opting for Diamond Lean over more standard cuts of beef allows you to feel confident you’re getting an exceptionally lean yet appetizing choice.

Healthiest Cuts of Diamond Lean Beef

Not all cuts of beef are created equal when it comes to fat content. Here are some of the leanest Diamond Lean Beef cuts:

• Eye of round roast and steak
• Round tip roast and steak
• Top round roast and steak
• Bottom round roast and steak
• Top sirloin steak
• Top loin steak
• Chuck shoulder and arm roasts

Keep in mind the same cuts of beef can go by different names. For example, a boneless top loin steak may also be called a strip steak, club sirloin steak, or New York strip steak. Don’t hesitate to ask your butcher or server for help identifying the leanest choices.

For ground beef, look for Diamond Lean varieties that are 93% or 95% lean to limit fat and calories.

Tips for Selecting, Preparing and Serving Diamond Lean Beef

Choosing health-promoting Diamond Lean Beef cuts is a great first step. You can also use the following tips for selecting, prepping and serving your beef in a waistline-friendly way:

• Read labels carefully – Checknutrition labels and opt for Choice or Select graded beef over Prime which tends to have more marbling.

• Trim it – Trim off any visible fat before cooking to further reduce the fat content.

• Portion it – Limit portions to 3-4 ounces cooked weight, about the size of a deck of cards.

• Cook it right – Choose healthy cooking methods like roasting, grilling or broiling. Avoid deep frying.

• Drain it – Drain fat from cooked ground beef and rinse to further remove grease.

• Chill it – Refrigerate cooked beef juices then skim off hardened fat before making gravy or sauce.

• Pair it – Serve lean beef with a hefty portion of non-starchy vegetables, greens, or a fiber-rich side like beans or lentils.

With the right cooking methods and sides, you can create satisfying Diamond Lean Beef meals that align with a healthy diet.

Sample Diamond Lean Beef Meals and Recipes

Need some inspiration for putting Diamond Lean Beef on the menu? Here are a few delicious and nutritious meal ideas:

• Steak salad – Top a green salad with sliced grilled top sirloin steak, veggies, avocado, and a tangy vinaigrette.

• Stir fry – Stir fry thinly sliced eye of round beef with broccoli, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and brown rice.

• Beef and veggie soup – Simmer lean ground beef, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, and spices in broth.

• Fajitas – Wrap grilled, sliced flank steak with sauteed peppers and onions in whole grain tortillas.

• Beef chili – Brown extra lean ground beef with onions and chili seasoning, then add beans, tomatoes, and vegetables to simmer.

• Beef tacos – Fill whole grain soft taco shells with lean ground beef, lettuce, tomato, reduced fat cheese, salsa, and Greek yogurt.

With a variety of herbs, spices, produce and whole grains, you can make lean beef part of delicious, good-for-you dishes.

How Much Lean Beef Can You Eat on a Healthy Diet?

Moderation is key when incorporating any higher fat protein like beef into your diet, even when it’s a leaner variety. Here are some healthy guidelines for how much lean beef you can include:

• The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting total meat, poultry and eggs to 26 ounces per week [3]. This equals about 7.5 ounces per day on average.

• One serving of cooked lean beef is 3-4 ounces. Limit yourself to just 1 serving a day to stay within the guidelines.

• Keep portions especially small if you are trying to lose weight – just 2-3 ounces of lean beef a few times a week.

• Round out meals with veggies, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts or plant proteins like tofu to reduce your overall meat intake.

• Limit processed meats like hot dogs, sausage and deli meats which tend to be higher in sodium and fat than fresh lean beef.

Sticking within these parameters allows you to incorporate lean beef in a healthy, waistline-friendly way as part of a varied diet.

The Takeaway on Diamond Lean Beef

Diamond Lean Beef provides an extra lean, flavorful option for enjoying beef as part of a balanced diet. Choosing cuts that meet the more stringent requirements for “extra leanness” allows you to benefit from beef’s protein, vitamins and minerals with less risk of overdoing saturated fat or calories. Be mindful of portion sizes, and round out meals with plant foods and whole grains. With its superior leanness, quality, and taste, Diamond Lean Beef can be a nutritious protein pick.

References

[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/cuts-of-beef/art-20043833

[2] https://www.mynetdiary.com/food/calories-in-diamond-lean-beef-tenderloin-steak-by-stoneridge-serving-25673397-0.html

[3] https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/