Beef Checkoff Backing Protein-Rich Breakfast

As clocks turn back to mark the end of Daylight Savings, the beef checkoff is taking time to remind consumers to add a healthy, protein-packed breakfast to their morning routine.

Research suggests that including protein like lean beef at breakfast promotes satiety, which can curb hunger when trying to maintain or lose weight. What’s more, a new study finds that balancing protein intake across three meals by increasing protein intake at breakfast and lunch protects muscle when losing weight. With these benefits in mind, Daylight Savings is the perfect opportunity to save the day and break free of that morning rut with a protein-rich breakfast.

“People tend to consume about 65 percent of their protein in one sitting at dinnertime, not realizing all the benefits of spreading protein intake throughout the day,” says Dr. Shalene McNeill, PhD, RD, and beef checkoff executive director of Nutrition Research. “It is especially important to think outside ‘the cereal box’ when it comes to breakfast because high-quality protein foods like lean beef can be an important, simple and delicious addition to the morning routine.”

According to McNeill, there are many advantages to beefing up breakfast and incorporating the right balance of protein, nutrients, and flavor:

-Breakfast is Easy: Breakfast doesn’t have to be time-consuming. There are many simple, creative and delicious ways to include lean protein in a breakfast routine.

-It’s a Nutrient Powerhouse: Lean beef is a naturally rich source of 10 essential nutrients, and a perfect partner for the everyday breakfast favorites like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, making it simpler to start the day in a balanced way.

-A Little Beef Goes A Long Way: Just one three-ounce serving of lean beef provides nearly 50 percent of the Daily Value for protein. From folding 95 percent lean ground beef crumbles into a breakfast burrito to using last night’s leftover pot roast in a beefy sweet potato hash, beef makes it easy to incorporate more protein into the daily breakfast schedule.

-Choosing lean beef as a source of high-quality protein can be a calorie-saver. A 3 oz. serving of lean beef is, on average, about 154 calories. That’s more than 7 Tablespoons (680 calories) of peanut butter to get the same amount of protein.

For more information, visit BeefNutrition.org.