Agriculture is a major part of Platte County’s economy with beef production leading the way. There are over 1.3 million acres of land in farms and ranches in our county were we produce more than $97 million worth of products each year – making us the 3rd-highest producing county in Wyoming.
Our 88,471 head of cattle ranks us 3rd in the state for number of cattle. All these cattle are raised to produce safe, delicious, nutritious beef, which is a healthy part of your diet.
Beef is full of essential nutrients. In a single, 150 calorie serving of lean beef you get 48 percent of your daily value (DV) of protein, 44 percent DV of vitamin B12, 40 percent DV of selenium and 36 percent DV of zinc. Beef is also a good source of niacin, Vitamin B6, choline, iron and riboflavin. These nutrients are important for brain function, nervous system development, immune system maintenance and energy, among other things.
According to the “Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet” study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating lean beef as part of a heart-healthy diet can also help improve cholesterol levels. Researchers found that participants who consumed lean beef daily as part of a heart-healthy diet experienced a 10-percent decline in LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Another study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society also found consuming a diet high in animal protein could prevent higher-level functional decline in aging individuals. Functional decline has a major effect on the health and well-being of older people by preventing them from performing normal, daily activities and living healthy lifestyles.
For more information about the health benefits of beef, visit www.beefnutrition.org. For recipe ideas and cooking advice, visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
By: Real Partner Liz Lauck
RealRanchers.com 