Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
WASHINGTON – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomed the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s second report. In May, the MAHA Commission’s first report highlighted the positive role beef plays in a healthy diet. Today, the second report expanded on the benefits of high-quality protein like beef and the critical role cattle producers play in helping make America healthy again.
“From every angle, it is tough to beat American beef. Our farmers and ranchers raise the best beef in the world, providing a healthy, fresh protein option to millions of families every day,” said NCBA President and cattle producer Buck Wehrbein. “We responsibly steward millions of acres of land, water, and wildlife habitat, including some of America’s most cherished landscapes and species. We pump lifeblood into the local economies of tens of thousands of communities across the rural American heartland. No matter how you look at it, American beef is the perfect fit for the MAHA Commission’s goals.”
The second MAHA report takes a holistic approach to the health, safety, and security of our food supply chain. Highlights from the report include:
Stressing the need for a diet high in whole, unprocessed foods like fresh beef, fruits, and vegetables to support Americans’ health at every age and stage of life.
Encouraging innovation that helps American agriculture stay at the leading edge of safe, healthy, nutritious food production.
Jumpstarting gold-standard scientific research to answer targeted questions on the connection between diet, other lifestyle choices, and health outcomes.
Exploring ways to boost consumption of fresh, healthy, locally produced foods.
“This report confirms the science-based recommendation that making America healthy again has to start with safe, nutritious, fresh, whole-ingredient and American beef hits the target on all of the above,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “As this administration has pointed out before, beef is the crown jewel of American agriculture. Millions of American families build a healthy plate around our product every week. We will continue working with President Trump’s administration to keep the supply chain moving and keep the safest, highest quality beef in the world on grocery store shelves.”
Years of peer-reviewed research, including clinical trials–the gold-standard for research–have proven that beef plays a key role in a healthy, balanced diet for Americans of all ages. A single 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides half of Americans’ daily protein needs with 10 essential nutrients, in fewer than 170 calories. To receive the same amount of protein from most plant sources, you would have to eat at least twice as many calories. The nutrients in beef, including protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, are critical for strengthening muscle, fueling a healthy metabolism, supporting cognitive development, and ensuring healthy living. As a source of nourishment and satisfaction in balanced diets, beef can help build and sustain healthy eating habits from childhood through adulthood.
About NCBA
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or [email protected].
