Beef is Basic

Beef is a complete protein and among the most iron-rich foods in our American diet. Beef also has a healthy dose of zinc and B vitamins.

In response to our current tastes, beef has been bred leaner than it was 20 years ago. The fat is trimmed to ¼ inch, down from ½ inch, and of course, you can trim it even more. Portions are being cut down, too. Gone are the days, for most of us anyway, of the 16-ounce steak. Three ounces of protein is sufficient for the average adult. A 3-ounce portion of trimmed and cooked top round, top loin, eye of round, sirloin, or tenderloin provides only 155 to 177 calories. (That 16-ounce steak would provide even a he-man with his full daily allowance of calories.)